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Overview > Local Scoop > Labels > Asheville Labels
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Blue Ridge Parkway Celebrates Birthday12:15 PM
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. Labels: asheville, events, parks, parkway Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Biltmore Park Welcomes Travinia Italian Kitchen10:56 AM
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. Labels: asheville, events, food, restaurants
Hotel Indigo Opens in Asheville10:40 AM
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. Labels: art, asheville, events, hotels, photography
City’s Capital Program Makes Asheville Civic Center More Sustainable10:30 AM
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 Labels: asheville, bele chere, civic center, government, sustainable Wednesday, November 4, 2009 ASHEVILLE CITY ELECTION RESULTS12:11 PM 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% Labels: asheville, city council, election, government, mayor, politics
Repairs to City Parking Garages Begins11:57 AM
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. Labels: asheville, events, government Friday, October 30, 2009 Birthday Parties at The NC Arboretum Encourage Unique Experiential Adventures12:55 PM
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. Labels: asheville, children, events, nature, nc arboretum
Bulldogs Live to Start on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Scully's12:41 PM
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." Labels: asheville, basketball, Bulldogs, events, restaurants
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Introduces 'Girlfriends Getaway'12:17 PM
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. Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn, restaurants, spa
Youth Leadership Academy Helps Local Homeless Shelter12:09 PM
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. Labels: asheville, government
Bon Bébé Brings New Offerings to Biltmore Park11:53 AM
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. Labels: asheville, children, retail Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Fine Arts Theater Hosts Special Showing of Herb and Dorthy on Thursday1:58 PM
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.) Labels: art, asheville, events, movies, museums
Asheville's WNC Alliance Wins Statewide Innovation Award1:39 PM
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.Labels: asheville, environment, sustainable
Western Carolina Presents "Midsummer Night's Dream Set in 1930s Appalachia10:29 AM
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. Labels: asheville, events, performing arts, western carolina
City Calls for Bids on Economic Stimulus Projects10:15 AM
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. Labels: asheville, government Friday, October 23, 2009 Maura Michelle Garcia Comes to Diana Wortham Theatre11:09 AM
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 Labels: art, asheville, events, performing arts
City of Asheville Prepares for Leaf Collection10:52 AM
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 Labels: asheville, government
Sparrow Spa Opens in Biltmore Park10:45 AM
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. Monday, October 19, 2009 Grove Park Inn & Spa Teams Up with BMW for Ultimate Test Drive1:16 PM
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. Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn
UNC Asheville to Hold Third Annual Math Literacy Summit1:09 PM
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. Labels: asheville, events, UNCA Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Asheville Regional Airport Announces United Airlines Service to Chicago10:56 AM
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. Labels: airport, asheville, transportation
City Hosts Business Forum on ARRA Opportunities10:37 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is partnering with regional business support agencies to host a forum on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on businesses Thursday, October 15, at the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Enka campus.
Representatives from various agencies involved in business development will be on hand to provide information on services available to business owners. Participating agencies include: the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the A-B Tech Center for Business & Technology Incubation, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Asheville SCORE, Mountain BizWorks, and the Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor Office, among others. In addition to providing information throughout most of the day, service providers will take part in two panel discussions. The first panel discussion, "An Overview of the Recovery Act and Accessing Contracting Opportunities," will take place from 10-11 a.m. followed by "Current Loan Opportunities," at 1:30-2:30 p.m. "The city is hosting this event to make sure local businesses understand how to participate in government contracting and can take advantage of any opportunities that become available under the economic stimulus program," said Brenda Mills, the city's ARRA project manager. "We also want to make information about other business support services widely available, even those that exist outside of ARRA." The event will take place at the A-B Tech Enka campus’s Haynes Conference Center with opening remarks delivered at 9:45 a.m. The forum will close at 3:30 p.m. Attendance is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, contact Brenda Mills at (828) 259-8050 or bmills@ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, buncombe county, events, government
Four Additional Early Voting Sites to Open in Asheville10:27 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Additional early voting sites in north, south, east and west Asheville will open October 24 – 31. Sites will be open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. On October 31 only, the sites will be open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The additional sites will supplement the current downtown Asheville site at 189 College St.
City Council voted to fund the additional sites at its September 8 meeting in order to add more opportunities for the community to participate in the election. The new locations are: • North Asheville Branch Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 28804 • South Buncombe Branch Library, 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville, 28803 • City of Asheville – Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Recreation Office in east Asheville, 72 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville, 28805 • West Asheville Branch Library, 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville, 28806 All registered voters are eligible to vote during this time. Same day registration will be available at all early voting sites for residents who are not registered. Same day registration allows residents to register and vote on the same day. For election information, call Buncombe County Election Services at 250-4200 or visit http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/election/. Labels: asheville, election, events, government
Picnics "Pie Lady" Leaves a Legacy10:16 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Minnie Ann Smith, Asheville's beloved Pie Lady at Picnics Restaurant and Bake Shop, passed away Friday, October 9, 2009. She is survived by son Ron Smith, daughter Carole von Berger, grandchildren Ingrid Hummel and Erich von Berger, and newborn great-granddaughter Adyson Lynn Hummel.
Vibrant and amazingly hard-working at age 89, Minnie lived her dream until her last days. She was a diamond in the Asheville community and the world, and cherished sharing her delicious hand-rolled pies, her passion for living, and her love with everyone she met. She made over 50 thousand pies for her extended family of customers and friends over the 14 years of running Picnics alongside her son Ron since 1995. She always reminded us all that 'It's fruit pie, Dolly, it's good for you!' Minnie's talents were showcased in numerous articles and venues such as Our State magazine as well as television shows like Rachel Ray Minnie will be laid to rest with her family in Gary, Indiana on Thursday, October 15.,/p> The Picnics crew continues to celebrate Minnie's life and vision as manifested by the restaurant, and invites you to a special Celebration of Life to honor Minnie Smith on Friday, October 23, from 6 to 8 pm at Picnics Restaurant, 371 Merrimon Avenue. Please come to this Open House to tell stories, to laugh and share our love for Minnie, and to have a toast and a slice of pie! Minnie will be laid to rest on Thursday, October 15 in Gary, IN in a family service in celebration of her life. Calumet Park Funeral Home in Merrillville, IN will oversee the arrangements. Labels: asheville Monday, October 12, 2009 Grove Park Adds New Event to National Gingerbread Competition12:00 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Celebrate the National Gingerbread House Competition at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa with a new “Stories of Gingerbread” tour for 2009. Each year, gingerbread artists from around the country compete in the annual competition. Now for the first time, guests will be taken behind the scenes of the popular holiday event to learn how the intricate homes are constructed, what materials were used in the designs, and other special tidbits that make the National Gingerbread House Competition a treat for people of all ages.
Guests who sign up for the "Stories of Gingerbread" tour will receive a special, commemorative lapel pin that is sure to become a collector’s item. "Stories of Gingerbread" tours will be held at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The cost for the special tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. With these fanciful entries on display throughout the resort, guests will enjoy sugar and spice and everything nice! The "Stories of Gingerbread" tours begin November 23, 2009. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 828-252-2711, ext. 409 Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn
City of Asheville 2009 Community Development Performance Report Now Available11:56 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville Community Development Division has published the 2009 Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report. This report provides detailed information about how the City and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium allocated and used federal funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to support affordable housing, public services and other community development activities, in Asheville and in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties. The report is available here.Labels: asheville, government
Mission Hospital Announces Cancer Center Coming to the Region10:08 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Board of Directors of Mission Hospital has voted to proceed with the development of a regional cancer center to bring together all Mission outpatient cancer services into one location. Board Chairman George Renfro says the building will be designed to provide a healing environment with convenient access for patients. It will be located adjacent to the current Memorial campus.
The 120,000 square foot facility would house outpatient services including Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife Radiosurgery, the Kay Finger Breast Program, The Zeis Children’s Cancer Center, Infusion Services, the survivorship program, and multi-disciplinary clinics providing people with particular types of cancer with a coordinated treatment plan, education, and psycho-social support services. The center will also provide physician offices as well as increased space for research and specialized treatments that the recently announced UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center affiliation will bring to Asheville. "The goal of this new center is to centralize services into a comprehensive building that will provide our patients and their families convenient access to state-of-the-art, coordinated and compassionate cancer care," said Joseph F. Damore, FACHE, President and CEO of Mission Health System Inc. and Mission Hospital. The projected cost of the center is $59 million. It will be financed through a combination of gifts through the Mission Healthcare Foundation, debt financing and capital reserves. Before work can begin, the Mission Healthcare Foundation has been asked by the Hospital to conduct a community-wide capital campaign to assist in financing the building. "Cancer rates are escalating in Western North Carolina and it is important to bring this facility to reality as quickly as we can," said Bruce D. Thorsen, president of the Foundation. “Engaging our community in the development of this new center will insure that state-of-the-art treatment is available close to home for all families in Western North Carolina ." A date for groundbreaking will be set when financing for the facility is in place. Completion of the cancer center is projected for early 2012. Labels: asheville, hospitals, Mission
UNC Asheville Athletics & Malaprop's to Host Roy Williams Book Signing9:57 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Malaprop's Bookstore/Café and the UNC Asheville Athletics Department will present a book signing with UNC Tar Heels Men's Basketball Coach Roy Williams.
Coach Williams will be at UNC Asheville's Justice Center on Sunday, Decemeber 13th from 1:30-2:30 to promote his new book HARD WORK: A Life On and Off the Court. Malaprop's is donating a portion of the sales to the UNC Asheville Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund. The book-signing is first come, first served, and only for those with a Malaprop's "Hard Work" receipt. HARD WORK can be pre-ordered from Malaprop's Bookstore/Café in downtown Asheville. Books can also be purchased at the Justice Center on Dec. 13. For more information, you can contact: Malaprop's Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C., 28801 at (828)254-6734. Labels: asheville, books, events, UNCA Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Biltmore Celebrates Annual Christmas Event, Nov. 6 - Jan. 212:20 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - One hundred fourteen years ago this Christmas Eve, George Washington Vanderbilt first opened Biltmore House to family and friends. Vanderbilt's legacy for legendary hospitality lives on today and especially during the holiday season when Biltmore House is elaborately decorated for Christmas, offering guests a glimpse of what it may have been like to be one of his guests during that special holiday season in 1895.
Known for being one of the largest holiday displays in the Southeast, Biltmore House and the surrounding 8,000 acres of the estate will celebrate its annual Christmas at Biltmore, Nov. 6, 2009, through Jan. 2, 2010. For ticket and booking information, call 877-BILTMORE or visit www.biltmore.com. As in years past, the event will feature 100 decorated Christmas trees; hundreds of wreaths and bows; hundreds of poinsettias; 30,000 lights in the house with another 150,000 lights used around the estate; 10,000 feet of fresh garland; and more than 25,000 ornaments. Biltmore House's holiday centerpiece, a 34-foot Fraser fir, spends the holidays in the 72-foot high Banquet Hall, adorned with lights and surrounded by hundreds of brightly packaged gift boxes. The Biltmore House front lawn will glow with a lighted 55-foot Norway spruce, surrounded by eight "islands" of smaller lighted trees and nursery shrubs. Christmas at Biltmore Christmas at Biltmore during the daytime includes tours of Biltmore House, the Gardens, the Winery with complimentary wine tasting, River Bend Farm and Barnyard. Inside Biltmore House, the Banquet Hall organ will serenade guests with music of the season. Candlelight Christmas Evenings Candlelight Christmas Evenings, where luminaries and a brilliant display of twinkling lights on the Front Lawn set the tone for tours of Biltmore House, requires separate entry. New this year will be ballroom dancers in vintage costume gliding across the floor in the Winter Garden. A story teller will regale visitors with readings from traditional holiday tales such as "The Little Match Girl," "The Gift of the Magi" and Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Choirs will perform European carols, with musicians providing seasonal music. Get Inspired by Biltmore Decor The restoration and preservation of the magnificent Louis XV Suite in Biltmore House has inspired this year's holiday decor theme. Guests who come to Biltmore before diving into their own holiday decorating can't help but pick up tips and ideas. In fact, Biltmore staff will give free holiday seminars on how to create Vanderbilt-inspired decorations for their own homes. Reservations for the seminars are not required; however, space may be limited so guests should arrive early. Here is the seminar schedule: - Deck the Halls, daily, Nov. 6-22: Biltmore's Floral Displays staff will give decorating tips for the home. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Biltmore House Library Den. - Centerpieces for Holiday Entertaining, daily, Nov. 6-Jan. 2: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at A Gardener's Place in the Conservatory. - Decorating a Christmas Wreath, daily, Nov. 6-Jan. 2: Learn how to turn an ordinary silk Christmas wreath into an elegant and interesting design. 1 and 3 p.m. at A Gardener's Place in the Conservatory. - Red Wine and Chocolate, daily, Nov. 6-Jan. 2: Discover why chocolate and red wine is a match made in heaven by pairing Biltmore Estate wine with several varieties of chocolate. 2, 3, 4 and 6 p.m. at the Winery. Give the Gift of a Memory Christmas at Biltmore is the perfect gift that families can give themselves. With the estate transformed into a magical wonderland, families will create memories to last a lifetime. "Family" is an unofficial theme at Biltmore this year since one of four rooms that opened to the public in Biltmore House for the first time was where two generations of the Vanderbilt family were actually born. Across Biltmore Holiday hospitality extends across the entire estate. Biltmore Winery offers self-guided tours and complimentary wine tastings. Santa Claus will visit River Bend Barn on Saturdays, Nov. 7-Dec. 20. Guests may enjoy a festive meal at Bistro, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Cafe or The Dining Room at Inn on Biltmore Estate. Guests looking to extend their stay at Biltmore, the four-star Inn offers several packages for holidays, including special New Year's Eve packages. Biltmore boasts retail shops, all perfect for holiday gift shopping. Other activities include taking a cozy horse and carriage ride (blankets provided) and exploring acres of landscaped gardens. Labels: asheville, Biltmore Estate, events
Biltmore Park Town Square Welcomes New Tenants11:53 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - As fall brings crisp weather and beautiful scenery to Asheville, Biltmore Park Town Square is bringing new retail offerings, and whether it's your closet or your home that needs updating, these new tenants are sure to meet your shopping needs. Fall is already full with wonderful events that include Music in the Park every Saturday, the Fall Fest on the 17th, and even more highly-anticipated restaurants, so now is a better time than ever to explore the happenings in Town Square.
This month, Bon Bébé, Dwellings, and Moda will join the growing number of retailers in Biltmore Park. Bon Bébé specializes in children's playwear and interior design; Dwellings will offer one-of-a-kind French Industrial decor and furniture; and Moda will feature contemporary and chic apparel and accessories for women. In addition, Hickory Tavern Grill and Raw Bar will be opening this month to satisfy all of your comfort food cravings--from hamburgers and wings to shrimp and oysters. All of these new businesses will be located along Town Square Boulevard, making for a convenient and hassle free opportunity to peruse national and local retailers without having to jump in the car and drive to several different destinations. Pick up your next read at Barnes & Noble, and then head across the street to admire the talent of the Echo Gallery artists. Then treat yourself and stop by one of the three new stores, or try a new restaurant, and stock up on all of your fall must-haves Labels: art, asheville, planned community, real estate, restaurants Monday, October 5, 2009 UNC Asheville and City of Asheville Agreement Sets Stage for New Partnerships9:22 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The long-standing, informal partnership between UNC Asheville and City of Asheville took a step forward with the signing of a joint agreement that sets the stage for future collaborations.
UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder and Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, who signed the agreement, were joined by UNC President Erskine Bowles and city, university and elected officials at the ceremony, held at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. The memo of understanding provides a framework for further collaborations in a number of areas important to the city and the region: environmental sustainability, health and wellness, culture and recreation, economic development and technology, and public safety. "I am really excited about this collaboration because it is with one of the best universities in the country," said Mayor Bellamy. "Today goes beyond liberal arts studies, today we are talking about economic development, keeping people healthy, promoting education and working together." "What we're doing at this very moment is more than signing a piece of paper," said Chancellor Ponder. "The University of North Carolina Asheville and City of Asheville do work together, are working together and will work together. Whether it is climate and technology, sustainability, health and wellness, public safety, this is exactly what Asheville needs." Chancellor Ponder noted that the partnership agreement fits perfectly with the university's strategic plan, the city's goals, and UNC Tomorrow, the UNC system's plan for responding to the needs of North Carolina. President Bowles agreed. "I think the real benefit of the signing of the memorandum of understanding is that it will enable us to leverage the fabulous resources and people we bring together as a group. More will come forward from it and benefit the people of this region," he said. The signing was followed by the official opening of the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at UNC Asheville Engagement Site at its new location at the Grove Arcade. RENCI is a multi-institution virtual organization headquartered in the Research Triangle that provides high performance computing technologies and a diverse research faculty to address important problems in North Carolina. The engagement site is one of several in the state established through university-RENCI partnerships. In its new location, the RENCI at UNC Asheville Engagement Site will provide leading edge technology for area decision makers and other collaborators in the areas of disaster research, mitigation and preparedness, taking advantage of Western North Carolina’s expertise in weather and climate modeling, visualization and public outreach. Locating the engagement site in downtown Asheville, in close proximity to its many users, is a primary example of the benefits of cooperation and collaboration between the UNC Asheville and the city. Jim Fox, director of the RENCI at UNC Asheville Engagement site, noted that over 20 partners – including the city, National Climatic Data Center, U.S. Forest Service, Land of Sky Regional Council and Buncombe County -- are involved in the work at RENCI. "What we're doing is addressing key societal issues: climate change, land use change, economic development, water resources. These are all challenges that cannot be handled individually. We need to provide the tools for local decision makers – the city, the county, the state – to be able to access those trusted sorts of information and make the critical decisions as we move ahead. The key is the people, all working together," Fox said. The city and UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) began working together after the widespread flooding that occurred in the wake of a series of hurricanes in 2004. With technological assistance from RENCI at UNC Asheville, which is part of NEMAC, the group developed a 3D watershed tool that shows the location of flood-prone areas, impervious surfaces and the effect of future building in the watershed. This set of tools is being used to create a new plan to mitigate the effects of the floods and to avoid flooding in the future. "I am really excited to have these tools available, accessible and affordable for the City of Asheville and the County of Buncombe," Mayor Bellamy said. "Even in times like these, when we have to discern very carefully what we can invest in because we can't do everything, we are choosing to do this with the City of Asheville because it is so important," said Chancellor Ponder. Labels: asheville, buncombe county, government, UNCA Friday, October 2, 2009 Asheville Cardiology and Mission Announce Plans to Affiliate11:38 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville Cardiology Associates, Mission Hospital, and Mission Medical Associates Inc., the physician management arm of Mission Health System, today announced that they have agreed in principle to join together. A letter of intent has been signed to develop initial working documents and to implement this partnership by January 1, 2010.
Announcement of the agreement was made jointly by Joseph F. Damore, FACHE, President and CEO of Mission Health System Inc. and Mission Hospital, and Eric D. Van Tassel, MD, FACC, President of Asheville Cardiology Associates, PA. "We are excited about the opportunity to work more closely together as partners in providing outstanding quality cardiology services," said Damore. "Superlative cardiology services are essential to a tertiary referral hospital like Mission. The physicians and staff of Asheville Cardiology have been providing this level of care for generations. Their physicians were leaders in identifying and implementing consistent best practices in cardiology decades before the concept was in use even at university teaching centers. We are proud that they are choosing to affiliate with Mission." "Asheville Cardiology is making this decision because we believe it will enable our physicians to focus more fully on what we went into medicine to do – take care of heart patients," said Dr. Van Tassel. "We will remain as a strong, closely knit cardiology practice, providing excellent clinical care, and utilizing state of the art diagnostic and treatment facilities. Mission will provide services such as billing and information technology systems that are essential to our operation, but which are not part of our primary mission of providing excellent patient care." The practice will continue to provide general and sub-specialty cardiology services at its current office building at 5 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Asheville, and through its current offices in Hendersonville, Sylva, Franklin, and Brevard. It will also continue to provide clinics in Highlands, Spruce Pine, Marion, Bryson City, Murphy and Columbus. The practice includes 33 adult and pediatric cardiologists. Mission Medical Associates is a physician-led subsidiary of Mission Health System, Inc. designed to provide management services for physicians and their practices in Western North Carolina. Mission Health System Inc. includes three hospitals: Mission Hospital in Asheville, the McDowell Hospital in Marion, and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. Mission Health System also operates Asheville Specialty Hospital in conjunction with CarePartners Health Services, and operates ambulatory care and physician services in Asheville, Marion and Spruce Pine.Labels: asheville, hospitals, medical, Mission
Asheville Sister Cities to Host International Dinner11:28 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Sisters Cities will host its International Dinner on Saturday, October 10 beginning at 6:30pm at the Hellenic Center on Cumberland Avenue.
Each of Asheville’s six sister city committees will present a course as well as entertainment for the meal: Appetizer course and Russian entertainment – Vladikavkaz, Russia; soup course and African entertainment – Osogbo, Nigeria; main course and Greek entertainment – Karpenisi, Greece, salad course and Mexican entertainment – San Christobal and Valladolid, Mexico; and dessert course and French entertainment – Saumur, France. A raffle will also be held during the International Dinner for gift baskets representing each of Asheville’s sister cities. Tickets are just $35 for the dinner and include a glass of champagne and the full meal. For more information, visitashevillesistercities.org or call 828-253-7083. Also, on Friday, October 2, Asheville Sister Cities will open an art show by students from children from Asheville’s six sister cities. The opening coincides with the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association’s October Art Walk. The show features art depicting the theme "Me and My Family."
Asheville Tourists Calling on All 'Chiliheads'11:21 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists have a few openings for both contestants and vendors for the team's Inagural Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off, which will be held at McCormick Field on Saturday, October 3, from noon until 5 p .m.
The cook-off competition will be held in the Pepsi Party Pavilion and is limited to 20 individual and 20 restaurants. The entry fees are $35 for individuals and $50 for restaurants. The coveted "Best Chili in WNC" title will be awarded, and there will be three cash prizes of $300 each for the individual winner, the restaurant winner and the fans' choice award. "The initial response has been outstanding, but we still have a handful of openings for both individuals and restaurants," said Mike Bauer, exectuive director of the Tourists and Palace Baseball. "We plan on having a lot of fun, because we believe chili cannot be defined. Whatever you call chili, we call chili, regardless of whether or not it has beans and meat or is red, white or any other color." Vendor booths are also available for $50. Arts and crafts artisans, exhibitors from local businesses and vendors of all varieties are invited to participate. Booths will be located along the warning track of the outfield, with each vendor receiving a 12' x 12' space. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tables, chairs and other needs. Music will be provided throughout the event, beginning with the Jamie Pelfrey Band playing country hits at noon. The Sharkadelics will take the stage at 1:45 p.m. with their popular set of classic rock hits before Mighty McFly starts playing top 40 hits from the 1980s and 1990s at 3:30 p.m. Numerous other events will also be held, including a pumpkin drawing contest and an ice cream eating contest. >Tickets for the Tourists Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off are on sale at the McCormick Field box office as well as ticketmaster.com. Cost for the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children age 5-12, and free for youngsters age four and under. For more information or to register for the Asheville Tourists Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off, call the Tourists front office at (828) 258-0428. Labels: asheville, baseball, events, restaurants, tourists
AB Tech's Fall Enrollment Reaches Record High11:14 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - A-B Tech's fall semester enrollment has reached a record high, according to the registration summary as of Sept. 17. The College has enrolled 7,495 curriculum students, a 6.7 percent increase over the 7,020 students from fall 2008.
"A-B Tech's curriculum registration has reached nearly 7,500 this semester. We're delighted that we can have this large impact on the education of Buncombe and Madison County residents," said Dr. Dennis King, vice president of Student Services. College transfer programs have the largest enrollment with more than 1,400 students, followed by Allied Health programs including growth in Medical Assisting, Veterinary Medical Technology, Surgical Technology and Emergency Medical Science. "Our students realize that with smaller classes, taught by instructors who focus on teaching instead of publishing, they will receive excellent preparation to be successful wherever they transfer," said Kenet Adamson, Arts and Sciences dean. "This is borne out by the state's community college performance report documenting that our graduates outperform the North Carolina colleges' and universities' native students as juniors. Our significantly less expensive tuition in today's economic environment also helps convince students to choose A-B Tech as a means to reduce the escalating cost of a higher education." "The employment outlook in Health Care and Public Service occupations has remained relatively strong during the recent cycle of higher unemployment and economic uncertainty. Enrollment in A-B Tech's Allied Health and Public Service programs has also remained strong and in many cases increased as workers look to change careers or move forward in their current profession," said Ned Fowler, Allied Health and Public Services dean. "Health care and public service programs continue to be an attractive option for students at the community college." Labels: AB Tech, asheville, education
NC Arboretum Features Brilliant Blooms at Chrysanthemum Show10:55 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC – The North Carolina Arboretum is ablaze with color in fall, and the North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society’s Annual Show, held October 17 and 18, is a perfect occasion to celebrate the fall foliage season.
This year will be very special, as the local chapter hosts the National Chrysanthemum Society Annual Show. Some 200 exhibitors from all over the country are expected to exhibit exceptional blooms and displays in addition to the normal excellent presentation made by the local chapter. Expect to see tree and cascade exhibits as well as displays of chrysanthemums, bonsai, educational exhibits, and a special section on photography. On Saturday afternoon, October 17, visitors are invited to enjoy talks on the North Carolina Chrysanthemum Society’s “Outreach to Schools” program. This program, presented by the local mum chapter, is designed to encourage local high school student participation in growing and showing chrysanthemums and has met with significant success. A program on how to grow mum bonsai as well as mums in miniature will be presented by a national Chrysanthemum Society expert on mum bonsai. The popular annual show showcases hundreds of chrysanthemum blooms in vibrant and varied colors. The exhibits will be judged by National Standards by expert Accredited National Chrysanthemum judges from all over the United States and Canada, by strict NCS standards and highlights the exceptional variety in size, shape and color of these popular fall flowers. The show is a perfect opportunity to learn more about how to grow display or show quality chrysanthemums. Guests to The NC Arboretum will be able to enjoy the shows and flower sales as well as trail walks, family activities, and exhibits. The Chrysanthemum Show is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($6 per personal motor vehicle). Visitors are encouraged to explore the Arboretum’s 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, engaging exhibits, and bountiful opportunities to connect with nature. For information, call 828.665.2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. The mission of The North Carolina Arboretum is to cultivate connections between people and plants. The North Carolina Arboretum is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Arboretum grounds are open 7 days a week. Property hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., November-March and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., April-October. Labels: asheville, events, flowers, nc arboretum, parkway Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Asheville Seeks Public Participation in Recycling Contest12:58 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is participating in the Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge. The contest, sponsored by The United States Conference of Mayors, Keep America Beautiful, and Novelis Corporation, challenges cities across the country to promote citizen participation in the collection of aluminum beverage cans.Asheville will compete with other cities of the same size for up to $5,000 in awards. Awards will be used to support recycling efforts through local education and awareness programs. Approximately 50 billion aluminum cans end up in landfills each year. Recycling aluminum beverage cans reduces waste in our landfills and helps create a sustainable environment. The Challenge starts October 1 and ends October 31, 2009. Recycle those aluminum cans! For more information about the Challenge or drop-off center locations, go to www.ashevillenc.gov/sanitation or call 251-1122.Labels: asheville, events, government, recycling Monday, September 28, 2009 The Grove Park Inn & Spa Introduces Special Package for Parents-To-Be3:42 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is introducing the perfect getaway for parents-to-be. The historic resort provides the perfect setting for one last relaxing getaway before the arrival of new family members. Expectant parents are invited to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect before entering (or re-entering) parenthood with The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Parents-to-be Babymoon Retreat Package.
Whether you’re welcoming your first child, your fifth, or adopting, this package includes everything you’ll need to relax and prepare for the arrival of your little one. Enjoy accommodations, breakfast daily, a special Grove Park Inn gift basket and discounts on dining and spa. Mom also gets her choice of a Mother-to-Be Wrap or a Maternity Massage at our world-class Spa and dad gets either a Spa Day Pass or a round of golf on our acclaimed Donald Ross course. The Parents-to-be Babymoon Retreat Package includes: -Two nights of accommodations -Breakfast daily, your choice of the Blue Ridge Dining Room’s lavish buffet or In Room Dining -Mom’s Choice: Mother-to-Be Wrap or Maternity Massage -Dad’s Choice: Spa Day Pass or 18 Holes on our Donald Ross Golf Course Grove Park Inn gift basket -20% off a treatment at our world-class Spa, excluding Nail Treatments and Saturday appointments -20% off dinner for two at your choice of Horizons, The Sunset Terrace or Blue Ridge Dining Room. If your plans for a little one include adoption, our reservations specialists will be glad to customize a package to suit your needs. For more information, please contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.0050 or 828.252.2711; visit www.groveparkinn.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ewgrove and Facebook at www.facebook.com/groveparkinn. Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn
Board of Elections Seeking Poll Workers2:37 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Buncombe County Board of Elections is partnering with local schools and institutions to institute a poll worker recruitment program in Buncombe County. This program is an effort to ensure better representation of young citizens, and citizens with diverse backgrounds in future elections.
Despite an impressive record of professionally-run elections in our county, it should be noted that the average age of active poll workers in Buncombe County was 60 years of age in 2008. Recruits will be offered the opportunity to serve as poll workers in one of the two elections scheduled to take place in the fall of 2009. Other local institutions participating in this program include A-B Tech, UNC-Asheville, Montreat College, and Western Alliance Center for Independent Living. Buncombe County Elections (2009) * October 6th - Asheville Primary * November 3rd - General Municipals Responsibilities: Assistants must report to the precinct to which they have been assigned by 6:30 a.m. and are required to remain at the precinct until after the polls close at 7:30 p.m., and all votes have been counted. Assistants are also required to study educational materials provided by the county board of elections office and may be trained to check voter's registration or to demonstrate the use of voting systems. Compensation Election Day Service $115.00 Training (if required) $15.00 Total $130.00 For more information on serving as a poll worker please contact the Buncombe County Board of Elections at (828) 250-4200, or visit the website Board of Elections For other questions on the College Poll Worker Recruitment Program please contact the program coordinator, Sami Disu, at (828) 275-4908 or email sami.disu@buncombecounty.org. Labels: asheville, buncombe county, election, events, schools
'Peanuts Pumpkin Patch' Returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad2:26 PM
BRYSON CITY, NC - PEANUTS™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for 2009. As the leaves are turning in October and pumpkins are ready to be carved, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy return to the GSMR Pumpkin Patch October 2, 2009. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz’s classic story "It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25. Friday departures will be at 3:00pm. Saturday and Sunday departures will be at 11:30am and 3:00pm.
Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s "It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. Activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include: campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, and a bouncy train. The children can also navigate through a giant hay bale maze. Other activities include hay rides, bobbing for apples, apple cider or apple juice, and treats. There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the Smoky Mountain Trains gift shop! Each child will also select their own small pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home. For more information and reservations please call 800-872-4681. Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets. Without train excursion admission is $9.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Children. Labels: asheville, events, trains
UNCA Men's Soccer Team Loses 3-111:09 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Kentucky scored three goals in the second half to record a 3-1 victory over visiting UNC Asheville Sunday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.
The Bulldogs had scored in the 50th minute of the second half to grab a 1-0 lead on a goal from Bryan Bartels. David Wood picked up an assist to give Asheville a lead over the nationally-ranked Wildcats. But Kentucky (7-1-0) quickly struck for two goals. The Wildcats tied the match up when Jase Griffiths scored in the 53rd minute. One minute later, Josh McCrary scored to give the home team a 2-1 lead. Kentucky iced the match with a goal from Chad Haggerty in the 82nd minute. The Wildcats had a 23-5 advantage in shots. Asheville plays again this Tuesday afternoon at Greenwood Field when the Bulldogs host East Tennessee State starting at 4 p.m. Labels: asheville, events, soccer, sports, UNCA
Park Ridge Takes Holistic Approach to Health with Farm to Hospital Program10:55 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Have you ever heard cafeteria food described as "amazing"? At Park Ridge Hospital that’s what’s happening—employees like the cafeteria’s meals so much that they take to‐go boxes home. Part of what makes Park Ridge’s food good is the hospital’s involvement in Farm to Hospital, a program of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) that helps hospitals support local farms and connect patients and staff with healthy food.
Park Ridge Hospital takes a holistic approach to health that incorporates nutrition and more. "We want to help our employees and patients learn where their food comes from, and how to find and prepare fresh foods," says hospital staffer Graham Fields. "And we want to be a part of the community, because community is part of healing and prevention." Park Ridge, located between Asheville and Hendersonville, is in an area rich in agricultural resources. Black Bird Farms in Henderson County is one of the cafeteria’s suppliers of fresh produce. The farm has been owned and operated by the Haynes family since 1933. Current owner, Billy Haynes, Jr., says of his work with the hospital, "It’s a great partnership for me and an important way to supply fresh produce to the community." The hospital identifies locally grown foods on their menu with the Appalachian Grown logo, and displays promotional materials created by ASAP that tell diners about the farmers who grow their food. The hospital is also distributing Market Bucks, coupons that can redeemed at Asheville City Market‐South for fresh, local products. ASAP offers Farm to Hospital resources to hospitals around the region, working with food service, administration, staff, patients, and the broader community. The nonprofit distributes Local Food Guides to hospitals and supports sourcing local products for cafeterias. ASAP also consults on educational programs such as cooking classes and field trips, wellness programs, and marketing and promotions. For more information, visit www.asapconnections.org. Labels: asheville, hospitals, local food
WNC Nature Center to Celebrate 'Hey Day'10:36 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Come to Hey Day, on Saturday, October 10th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville. We’ve made the event a little greener with the addition of demonstrations on solar energy, chicken tractors, sustainable agriculture and water catchment. While being educated, families can still enjoy our special visiting animals and the following local entertainers:
- Jay Brown (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.) Founding member of the old time, swing band Lazybirds, Jay has toured throughout the southeast and as far as Alaska and has performed at festivals such as Merle Fest, Bele Chere and the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. He has shared the stage with artists including Doc Watson, Ritchie Havens, Gillian Welch and Sam Bush. - Mountain Thunder Cloggers (11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) dance to many types of music - from Bluegrass & Country to 80s/Pop/Hip-Hop. A family-oriented team, they encourage the families watching them to join in! - Haw Creek String Band (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) Whoop it up to the music of the Haw Creek String Band, featuring banjoist Brad Searson and ole time fiddler Bob Hill - Forge Mountain Cloggers (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.) LOVE to clog and they bring smiles and energy to their audiences. John Bowers and David Ray (guitar/mandolin) (1:30 – 2 p.m.) play a mellow alternative country genre and play weekends only.
Sherry Lynn and the Mountain Friends Band (2 - 3 p.m.) play acoustic country and contemporary bluegrass. This is a strong team that combines fine musicianship and pure joy, giving audiences a highly entertaining show. Mark DeVerges (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.) is a true balloon artist. He will create a massive custom object/animal/creature right before the audience with the help of many volunteers in a way that incorporates science, education, and visual art! Following the show, Mark will amaze the kids with his award winning balloon twisting! Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children, and FREE to Members of Friends of the Nature Center. Scrumptious food will be available at the Classroom Café onsite, so families can spend the whole day! This year’s generous Hey Day Gold level sponsors include Animal Hospital of Reems Creek, Harrington Electric Company and Dr. Ryan Haldeman, Orthodontist. Silver level sponsors include ABC Pediatrics, Allergy Partners of Asheville, Steven Cahan, Eye M.D., Greenworks Healing Center, Doug Sherry with Preferred Properties and the Toy Box. Media sponsors include Advantage Printing, Mountain Xpress and WOXL-FM. Hey Day will be filled with fun for the whole family. Events include pony rides (extra $), weaving and spinning demonstrations, soapmaking, crafts, face painting($), a clown show, The Rainbow and You – a special storyboard performance, watercolor painting, pumpkin painting (extra $) and the always popular cake walk (extra $). Visiting animals include rescue Llamas, Fjord Horses and Miniature Ponies. Enjoy educational exhibits from the Asheville Fire Department, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Ashevillage, a chicken tractor expert, Doubletree Farm, Rainbow Recycling (inventors of the Recycling Stomp!), Riverlink, Greenworks, Higher Ground Gutter Cleaners and Sundance Power Systems.All proceeds benefit the Friends of the WNC Nature Center’s College Summer Internship program. The Friends’ mission is to support the programs, facilities and the residents of the Western North Carolina Nature Center, which showcases the fauna and flora of the southern Appalachian region. The Nature Center’s mission is to educate the public about the flora and fauna of Western North Carolina and foster an interest in the conservation of native plants and animals. . The Center is operated by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department of the City of Asheville. For more information on the Friends or Hey Day, contact Sarah Oram, Director, at (828) 298-5600 ext. 308 Labels: art, asheville, children, events, nature, outdoors Thursday, September 24, 2009 Annual Greek Festival Happening this Weekend2:27 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - This weekend, Martin Luther King Jr. Park will host Asheville’s 23rd annual Greek festival. The festivities will take place from Friday the 25th to Sunday the 27th and include everything Greek from food to dancing and music. On Friday and Saturday the festival will go from 11am until 9pm and 11am to 4pm on Sunday. Members of the Asheville Greek community, particularly the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, will be directly involved in the food selections.
The celebration will be held in a festival style. Guests can attend for free and spend between $7 and $14 on food. The selection of food will include spanakopita and baklava in addition to a vast selection of other pastries and treats. Funds raised from the festival will go to the Holy Trinity Church as well as certain local charities. The Greek Festival promises to bring traditional Greek foods, culture and hospitality to local residents and should deliver. Come down to Martin Luther King Jr. Park this weekend and help celebrate Greek culture in Asheville. Labels: asheville, events, festivals Wednesday, September 23, 2009 The Hilton Asheville Opens Roux1:27 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville now has a unique addition to its dining scene, Roux, the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park’s new restaurant, featuring an innovative menu that incorporates small plates and comfort food with a creative twist. The Hilton Asheville along with Roux opened this August.
The restaurant’s entrees and small dishes create fusions of southern comfort and sophistication: its macaroni and cheese is truffled, its barbeque sliders are salmon and its bistro meatloaf sauce is a red-onion marmalade. Roux’s wide range of dishes range from grilled portobello and radicchio to lemon roasted chicken and sweet and spicy wings. The basis for the restaurant name, roux, is the cooking mixture classically used to thicken the principal sauces of French cuisine. Roux, the restaurant, also blends the best of both gourmet and southern comfort food worlds.The restaurant uses the concept of the old blue plate special to create 'small' and 'larg'’ plates but with a spin- rustic potato frites in white truffle-scallion aioli and similar innovations replacing the usual ketchup and French fries- just the kind of twist Roux will become known for. Roux’s Executive Chef Randy Dunn of Sparta, Tenn., has 15 years of culinary achievement behind him. He attended culinary school in Charleston, S.C., has worked at the Marriott in Birmingham, Ala., and had the opportunity to cook for Julia Child while at Sydney’s Grill in Cambridge, Mass. "I believe Roux will really offer something very different from your typical hotel restaurant. Here you’ll find a fun dining experience, something very social yet with great food and attentive service," said Dunn. The restaurant will use as much local, Asheville-based food as possible following in the footsteps of the Hilton Asheville’s commitment to sustainability. "My goal is to support local farmers and merchants and become a responsible neighbor in the town I am very excited to now be calling home," said Dunn.The Hilton Asheville is a luxurious, new, LEED Registered hotel located in the heart of Biltmore Park Town Square, just minutes from Biltmore Estate and just steps from dining, shopping and entertainment. Hilton Asheville is located just off Interstate 26, Exit 37 on Long Shoals Road in Biltmore Park Town Square. This location is just 5 minutes from the Asheville Regional Airport and 15 minutes from Biltmore Estate and downtown Asheville. To learn more about the Hilton Asheville and Roux, visit the website at www.biltmorefarmshotels.com. Labels: asheville, Biltmore Estate, hotels, places to stay, restaurants, retail
YWCA Hosts Annual Black & White Gala, October 110:33 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - 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.
This FUN evening will feature silent and live auctions, food from local restaurants, and high energy dance music by Westsound. Festive black and white attire is encouraged. All event proceeds will go to support the programs of the YWCA of Asheville. Tickets are only $40/each or two for $75. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE. Labels: asheville, events, restaurants, ywca
Occasional and Asheville Community Theatres Present 'Return of an Angel'10:19 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville’s award winning Occasional Theatre and Asheville Community Theatre will co-present Sandra Mason’s riveting hit drama, Return of an Angel, in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Wolfe’s seminal novel, Look Homeward, Angel. With special permission from the Thomas Wolfe estate, Mason’s powerful play uses Wolfe’s own words to bring to life the “love – hate” relationship that Asheville had with its most famous son, Thomas Wolfe. Chris Morton, Operations/Interpretation Manager for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial said, "We are very pleased Occasional Theatre and ACT are once again bringing this wonderful play to the community."
The world premiere of the play took place at ACT's Heston Auditorium, adjacent to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, during the 2007 Thomas Wolfe Festival. Each of the three performances played to nearly full houses and brought audience members to their feet, including Wolfe Festival attendee, Jan Hensley from Greensboro who wrote: "I was just entranced with the play, with the actors, with the set, the lighting, the musicians… it was all professionally done. I can only hope that you will bring it back to Asheville again and again.” Producer Brenda Lunsford Lilly added, "After the performances last year many audience members, including City Council Member Robin Cape, left the theatre and immediately walked over to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial." In 1929, not everyone in Asheville was thrilled with the newfound fame brought to them by Wolfe's novel. Many in the town thought that Thomas Wolfe had exposed them to the world, warts and all. Of course now, Look Homeward, Angel is known for its compelling story of time lost, not the salacious gossip.The Occasional Theatre is dedicated to bringing professional, premiere productions of plays – in particular plays written by North Carolina playwrights – to audiences. Over the years it has produced theatre in both Los Angeles and New York and now is based in Asheville. It is delighted to be partnering again with Asheville Community Theatre and will be donating a portion the ticket sales to the Wolfe Memorial. Sponsors for this production include PLI, Wake Robin Farm Breads, and Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. Return of an Angel will run October 2-11 with performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm. All performances will be held at Asheville Community Theatre at 35 East Walnut Street in downtown Asheville.. Tickets are $22.00 for adults, $19.00 for seniors and students. Tickets are available online, by phone at the ACT box office (828-254-1320), or in person at the ACT box office, which is located on site at the theatre and is open from 10am-4pm Tuesdays - Saturdays. Labels: asheville, events, performing arts
The Grove Park Inn to Sponsor Holiday Fireworks9:37 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville City Council has voted to accept a $40,000 donation from The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa to pay for fireworks during the upcoming holiday season. “Seasonal Sizzle at Seven” is a business stimulus campaign centered around three firework programs to be fired off at 7:00 P.M. on the first three Saturdays in December in downtown Asheville. This campaign will encompass the first 19 days of December with various customer oriented specials. The goal is to stimulate the local economy during the holidays.
"This is the second year we have sponsored the Seasonal Sizzle at Seven, and we believe it is a valuable economic tool for the local business community," said Ron Morin, Executive Director of Operations at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. "Local merchants have told us that Seasonal Sizzle at Seven was very good for business last year because it brought more people to the downtown area for shopping and dining. We believe everyone will benefit again this year." In addition to the free fireworks sponsored by The Grove Park Inn Spa & Resort, Asheville residents and holiday visitors will also enjoy live entertainment, seasonal specials at local restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville’s eclectic boutiques and craft galleries. Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn, restaurants, retail Monday, September 21, 2009 Newly Founded Echo Gallery Opens in Biltmore Town Square5:07 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - It's undeniable that Asheville is inundated with talent, and the arts are the heart and soul of the city. From Appalachian crafts that have been carried down through generations to contemporary and novel creations, the galleries in the area host world-class offerings with a unique hometown twist. Biltmore Park Town Square is now adding to the mix as host of the newly-founded cooperative Echo Gallery, which opens on Friday, September 18th.
Founded by seven artists whose studios are currently headquartered in the River Arts District, Echo Gallery is a welcome expansion into South Asheville. While each artist is different in medium and style, each piece complements the other by showcasing skill, perspective, and method. Whether eager to observe a sample of what makes Western North Carolina such an appealing destination or shopping for your home, the quality of the paintings, ceramics, sculptures, textiles, and photography are sure to inspire. The artists are excited about gaining more visibility in their new location, and Town Square couldn't be more excited about their contributions to the area. Asheville is one of the Southeast's most popular arts destinations, and Biltmore Park is glad to feature local culture and talent among its unique mix of national and local tenants. The founding artists of the Echo Gallery include Anna Kolosieke, Barbara Fisher, Susan Web Lee, Laurie McCarrier, Lori Therault, and Heather Tinnaro. Echo Gallery is located in Suite 160 at Eight Town Square Boulevard across from the newly opened Barnes & Noble. The hours are Thursday-Saturday from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., making it a wonderful destination for restaurant and movie-goers in Biltmore Park. Learn more at www.echoasheville.com Labels: art, asheville, galleries, photography, retail Friday, September 18, 2009 Reel Rock Film Festival Comes to Asheville Pizza and Brewing11:51 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - On October 1 at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, the fourth annual REEL ROCK Film Tour will launch the year's most exciting climbing and
adventure films.
Presented by WINDSTOPPER and THE NORTH FACE, the REEL ROCK tour is the largest international climbing celebration delivering to audiences in over 100 cities around the world. More than just film screenings, REEL ROCK shows are festive events where climbers and outdoors lovers gather to celebrate their shared passion for adventure. Presented locally by Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, REEL ROCK events feature the latest releases from the award-winning filmmakers at Sender Films and Big UP Productions as well as the winning short films from this year¹s REEL ROCK Filmmaking Competition. Gear giveaways, appearances by top climbers, and fundraising for non-profit organizations always add to the fun and community spirit of REEL ROCK events. Labels: asheville, events, movies, outdoors
UNCA Women's Soccer to Play in Catamount Classic11:46 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The UNC Asheville women's soccer team travels to Cullowhee this weekend to take part in the Catamount Classic. The Bulldogs play Elon on Friday starting at 5 p.m. and battle Western Carolina Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Asheville enters the tournament with wins in three of its last four matches. The Bulldogs rallied for a 2-1 victory over Tennessee Tech on Sunday. Michele Cornish's team scored twice in the final 20 minutes to get the victory and raise the Bulldogs record to 3-2-0. However, Cornish wants a better performance this weekend than the one against the Golden Eagles on Sunday. "We found a way to win last Sunday and that was good to see but we didn't play very well," stated Cornish. "We were fortunate to only be down 1-0 in the second half and then fortunate we were able to get those two goals. We're going to have take things up a notch this weekend." Elon is 2-2-1 on the season and its two wins are over Big South teams in Coastal Carolina and High Point. Western Carolina has been playing very good soccer this year. The Lady Catamounts are 2-3-1 on the season but have narrowly missed upsetting ranked teams such as Tennessee and Dayton. "We've got our hands full with both of our opponents," commented Cornish. "Both are very good teams that have posted impressive results this year. Elon is a well-coached team that doesn't make many mistakes. Western Carolina has been impressive in its play this year. We're going to have to play smart for 90 minutes." Freshman forward Chole Mcleary-Small has been a real spark for the Bulldogs in the early part of the season. She has scored three goals and added an assist for a team-leading seven points. Two of her goals have been game-winners. Labels: asheville, events, soccer, sports, UNCA
NC Arboretum Gets Small During During the 14th Carolina Bonsai Expo11:37 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville, NC, transforms into the bonsai capital of the Southeast the second weekend every October when The NC Arboretum hosts the Carolina Bonsai Expo. Visitors to the show will find an abundance of miniature trees and landscapes, creatively displayed at the Arboretum’s Education Center.
This two-day horticultural extravaganza on October 10 and 11, situated in the midst of the colorful mountains during fall foliage season, features a juried display of bonsai by clubs from across a six-state region, a renowned bonsai marketplace, workshops, free demonstrations, and a popular Ikebana exhibit. The expo is also a perfect occasion to explore the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden, which offers a world-class display that innovatively establishes bonsai in the context of the Southern Appalachians. Now in its 14th successful year, the Carolina Bonsai Expo includes an expanded bonsai and ikebana exhibit and a live auction of bonsai plants and related materials. The two-day event features juried exhibits by bonsai enthusiasts from throughout the southeast including Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. In addition, workshops are available for those interested in learning bonsai and ikebana techniques from master artists. "Bonsai are amazing, and there’s more to it than most folks know," said Arthur Joura, The NC Arboretum’s Bonsai Curator. "The Carolina Bonsai Expo is the largest and finest bonsai show in the Southeast. Whether you know something about bonsai or not, it’s a fun and fascinating world to lose yourself in for awhile, and the Expo offers the best opportunity to do just that." People often ask Joura where they can purchase a bonsai, and he highly recommends the marketplace at the Expo, adding, "There are only two days each year to find such a diverse selection, and we are proud to host such a rare offering." Joura, a nationally recognized expert who is dedicated to making the art form of bonsai accessible to all audiences, has developed one of the finest public bonsai collections in the country since the Arboretum received its first bonsai donation in 1992. The collection is particularly distinctive because it artfully blends traditional bonsai with plants native to the Southern Appalachians such as American hornbeam, red maple and eastern white pine. There is no charge for visitors to attend the Carolina Bonsai Expo although usual parking fees apply. Visitors can purchase lunch items from the Arboretum’s Savory Thyme Café, open during Expo hours. To register or for more information about the auction, workshops and presentations, call 828-665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org Labels: art, asheville, events, nc arboretum
Film Series Art:21 Premieres at the Asheville Art Museum this October!11:29 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to once again be the official Asheville site for the premiere of Season 5 of the exciting bi-annual film series, ART:21 — Art in the Twenty-First Century, screening Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. each day. These screenings are free with Museum Membership or admission.
Compassion, Fantasy, Transformation and Systems are the four themes explored this year. Each one-hour episode profiles contemporary artists loosely organized around each theme. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their processes as they transform inspiration into art and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic visions. Episode 1: Compassion will be screened on Saturday; Episode 4: Systems on Sunday. Compassion features artists including William Kentridge, Doris Salcedo and Carrie Mae Weems. Systems features John Baldessari, Kimsooja, Allan McCollum and Julie Mehretu. For a sneak peek of Season 5, visit www.art21.org and watch the trailer. Labels: art, asheville, events, museums Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Grove Park Inn Offering Resort Memberships12:06 PM
ASEHVILLE, NC - For the first time in almost a decade, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa opening up memberships for its award winning golf and sports facilities to members of the Asheville community and surrounding areas.
The facilities and services which are now available to the public include an 18 hole Donald Ross golf course, tennis and racquetball courts, a 50,000 square-foot sports complex with men’s and women’s locker room facilities, fitness center, tennis and golf pro shops and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Designed by the legendary Donald Ross, the Grove Park Inn Resort Golf Course is rated as one of the best in North Carolina. Golfweek magazine included the course in its 2005 "America’s Best" listings and Golf Digest named it in 2004 as "one of the ten best courses in the United States that is 100 years old or more." Other awards include "Top 100 Golf Courses" by the North Carolina Golf Panel in 2009 and a ranking of 48 in the "Top 100 Golf Resorts" by Conde Nast in 2007. In addition, those who purchase a Grove Park Inn Resort Membership will receive special rates for accommodations and a 15% discount when dining at any of Grove Park Inn’s four award winning restaurants. For more information about purchasing a Grove Park Inn resort membership, please contact Bernard Chandler at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.5800 or 828.252.2711 or visit www.groveparkinn.com. Labels: asheville, golf, Grove Park Inn, spa, sports
City of Asheville Calls for Public Comment on Public Transit Master Plan11:51 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is seeking public input through Sept. 29 on its draft transit master plan.
The proposed master plan includes a new route structure, Sunday service for six routes and thirty minute trip frequency along main corridors like Tunnel Road, Haywood Road, Merrimon Avenue, Patton Avenue and Biltmore Avenue. The plan also includes two new routes. A north Asheville loop would connect Charlotte Street and Montford Avenue via UNC Asheville, and a crosstown route would connect west Asheville to Biltmore Village and areas in east Asheville. "Our goal for the proposed route structure is to provide more options and improved service for riders," said Transit Manager Mariate Echeverry. "We are asking the public to comment on these recommendations to get additional input before the overall plan is complete." The master plan can be found at www.ashevilletransit.com. The document will also be available on the mezzanine level of City Hall; at the Pack Place, East, North, West, Oakley and Skyland public library branches; at the Asheville Transit Center on Coxe Avenue, and; at the city’s transportation planning division offices at 45 Wall St. Comments can be submitted to the city in writing to City of Asheville, ATTN: Transit Master Plan, P.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 or via e-mail toiride@ashevillenc.gov. The city of Asheville currently operates 21 buses. According to research completed for the master plan, ridership trends in the last five years have increased by about 10 percent. The majority of riders, about 68 percent, are dependent on bus service as their only form of transportation, while about 27 percent prefer or choose to ride transit. Labels: asheville, government, Pack Place, transportation, UNCA Monday, September 14, 2009 Heritage Crafts Weekend at The NC Arboretum Celebrates Rich Cultural Traditions6:00 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The North Carolina Arboretum celebrates Southern Appalachian traditions during Heritage Crafts Weekend, held September 26 and 27.
The event, now in its fourth year, features craft demonstrations and juried crafts vendors, plant sales and musical performances in the Heritage Garden, Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center. Western North Carolina is known worldwide for its botanical beauty and diversity, as well as for the many wonderful handmade crafts that are borne of the mountain way of life. Vitally important to the region’s craft heritage is the close relationship between crafts and the plants used in their production. Much of the fiber, color and artistic expression of mountain craft arises from the character and nature of plants. The Heritage Garden showcases plants used in the multi-million-dollar craft industry of Western North Carolina, including those used for handmade paper and brooms, baskets and dyes. Visitors can explore the many plants that support crafts, understand how they are grown, prepared and used, and appreciate their value to the industry. New exhibits in the Heritage Garden provided increased space for exhibits and demonstrations and allows the garden to function as an outdoor classroom. Admission to Heritage Crafts Weekend is free for members or with the parking fee of $6 per personal vehicle. For more information, call 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. Labels: asheville, crafts, events, nc arboretum
UNC Asheville's National Society of Collegiate Scholars Chapter Receives Gold Award6:00 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - UNC Asheville's chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) recently received the Gold Award at the NSCS Honor Gala in Washington, D.C. The chapter received the award for meeting a series of requirements, including holding an induction ceremony, creating a student mentoring program, holding campuswide events to support the NSCS integrity initiative, creating an on-campus membership recruitment campaign and engaging a campus office in a chapter event. The UNC Asheville chapter also received a $250 scholarship. The group was among just 61 other NSCS chapters nationwide to receive the Gold Award and scholarship this year. "The members of the UNC Asheville chapter are amazing," said Blair Edwards, an NSCS staff representative. "They have truly embraced the ideals of NSCS." NSCS is an honors organization open to college students based on grade-point average and class standing. UNC Asheville's chapter was established in 2005.Labels: asheville, education, UNCA Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Announces New Public Relations Manager10:25 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa announced today that it has named Deborah Potter as Manager of Public Relations. Potter will be in charge of press releases and news media relations. She is a former reporter and news room manager for WLOS-TV and WSPA-TV, a former editor for the Asheville Citizen Times and served as press secretary for former U.S. Rep. Charles H. Taylor.
"We are so pleased to have such a high-caliber and talented media professional join our team," said Susan Phillips, Director of Marketing Communications for The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. "Deborah has wonderful contacts with our local media and she will be a great help as we expand our public relations with regional and national media outlets." Potter is a native of Avery County and a graduate of Western Carolina University. She lives in Swannanoa with her daughters Kaylie and Kerrigan. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is currently hiring in all departments. For more information on job openings, please contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.5800 or 828.252.2711 or visit www.groveparkinn.com. Labels: asheville, Grove Park Inn Monday, September 7, 2009 Student Documentary Highlights Ciĕl as a Sustainable Development11:47 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Sustainable energy has been declared a key initiative of the European Union by the Czech Republic, the current holder of the E.U. presidency. With this focus, the E.U. solicited assistance from the United States Department of State in identifying and highlighting the most innovative sustainable projects in the U.S. Ciĕl was honored to be selected as a potential featured project, as only a few projects were chosen.
Rich Beckman, the Knight Chair of Visual Journalism at the University of Miami, worked with journalism students to create a documentary that highlights Ciĕl. Labels: asheville, events, green, real estate Sunday, September 6, 2009 Art Nouveaux Celebrates Local Photographer10:07 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum group Art Nouveaux invites you to join in on a visit to photographer Tim Barnwell’s studio Monday, September 21, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Art Nouveaux is a special group of Museum Members interested in learning about
collecting art.
The group meets several times a year for social and educational programs exploring fine art collecting and connoisseurship. The group supports the Museum’s permanent collection through the annual purchase of works of art with their yearly dues of $250 per member. Try the group for only $15 for this session! At this meeting of Art Nouveaux, the group will visit photographer Tim Barnwell’s downtown studio for an intimate evening with the artist, exploring his portraits and landscapes of Appalachia. In documenting this area for more than 25 years, Barnwell has captured the essence, beauty and rugged character of a quickly disappearing rural landscape. For more information or to join, please contact Rebecca Lynch-Maass, Membership Manager, at rlynchmaass@ashevilleart.org or 828.253.3227, ext. 114. Labels: art, asheville, events, museums
Asheville City Government Offices Closed Sept. 79:26 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville city government offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.Garbage collection will not be affected by the holiday. Monday’s garbage collection will operate according to its regular schedule. City bus service will not operate on Monday in observance of the holiday. Asheville Transit will resume normal operations Tuesday, Sept. 8. For more information about city services, visit www.ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, government Thursday, September 3, 2009 Cesario Smashes Asheville To Victory9:12 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists entered play Wednesday night just 2.0 games ahead of second-place Augusta for the final playoff spot in the South Atlantic League, desperately searching for a victory over Lexington. Tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Jimmy Cesario led off the bottom of the inning with a solo homerun to open the floodgates for a four-run inning, lifting the Tourists to a 6-2 win.
Carlos Luna made his third start for the Tourists and pitched 5.2 great innings, the longest start of his career. Luna looked sharp through three shutout frames before allowing a run in the top of the fourth to put Lexington ahead, 1-0. The Tourists tied it up at 1-1 in the fifth on an RBI single for Scott Robinson that plated Ryan Peisel. Luna came out for the sixth inning and allowed a leadoff walk before a sacrifice bunt put a runner on second with one out. Luna struck out Eric Suttle for the second out before Jay Austin drove his second of two doubles to the gap in left-center. The double scored the go-ahead run for Lexington and Luna was chased from the game. Stephen Dodson came on with runners on the corners and retired the side with no further damage. Asheville tied the game again in their half of the sixth inning, scoring a two-out run. After the first two batters of the inning were set down, Kiel Roling singled to left field and Mike Zuanich followed with a two-bagger that nearly cleared the tall scoreboard in right-center, scoring Roling to make it 2-2. The score remained locked at 2-2 going into the eighth, setting the table for Cesario's dramatic homerun, his 11th of the season and his sixth in his last 16 games. After a Jordan Pacheco groundout, Roling doubled and Delta Cleary, Jr. was walked to set up a two-run triple off the bat of David Christensen to make it 5-2 Asheville. Thomas Field would drive Christensen home with an infield base hit to put the Tourists up 6-2.Adam Jorgenson came on and worked a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation, striking out one batter. The Tourists (40-24) have now whittled their Magic Number to three with five games remaining. They will face the Legends (28-37) in the finale of this three-game series Thursday night at 7:05 for the last regular season home game of the year. RHP Juan Nicasio (8-3, 2.41) will take the mound for Asheville against Lexington LHP David Duncan (4-3, 4.24). Tickets for Thursday's game and the 2009 Playoffs are available by contacting the McCormick Field Box Office at (828) 258-0428. All 140 Tourists games can be heard live on the radio on 100.7 WRES FM or streaming online at www.theashevilletourists.com. Labels: asheville, baseball, sports, tourists Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Biltmore Estate: a One-Stop Destination for Fall Color Immersion6:00 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - For travelers short on time, but big on taking in all that fall has to offer, Biltmore is a one-stop shop for everything autumn.
With one of the most extensive fall garden displays in the Southeast (where “Mum” is the word), world-class activities, a winery, culinary temptations, the Inn on Biltmore Estate and the stunning 250-room Biltmore House, Biltmore offers an expansive – yet efficient – way to experience a full fall immersion. Cloaked in rich hues of harvest gold and burgundy, deep plums and amber, Biltmore’s 8,000 acres await exploration. Enjoy gardens bursting with thousands of colorful mums, pastoral and mountain views, vibrant colored forests and rolling countryside. At Biltmore’s Outdoor Center, activities include carriage rides, horseback riding, guided Segway tours, fly fishing and sessions at the Land Rover Experience Driving School. River Bend Farm welcomes curiosities with demonstrations of what it was like to live and work on the estate in the 1890s, including a barnyard full of farm animals to visit. Panoramic views star on guided rooftop tours of Biltmore House. Particularly dramatic during the fall, with crisp air and clear vistas all the way to Mount Pisgah, this birds-eye view of the estate is one of Biltmore’s most popular tours. Biltmore House offers an array of indoor beauty, complete with the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Four, never-before-seen rooms opened earlier this year after an extensive restoration. Known as the Louis XV Suite, these rooms are the most grand bedrooms in the house, and served as birthplace of two generations of Vanderbilts. Savor festive menus at one of the estate’s five restaurants, which celebrate a legacy of sustainable agriculture, serving fresh produce grown in the gardens right on the estate. Barbecue and Bluegrass Saturdays take place at the Winery through October, and Deerpark will feature an Appalachian Harvest Buffet. Biltmore’s award-winning winery offers tastings, tours, culinary demonstrations and seminars. And, for those looking to capture the romance of fall overnight, the Inn on Biltmore Estate offers year-round packages. There’s something for every leaf peeper at Biltmore. Visit www.biltmore.com for more information. Labels: art, asheville, Biltmore Estate, events, restaurants
Savor a Great Night at the Asheville Art Museum’s A Taste of Art + Wine6:00 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum invites you to its popular, annual event A Taste of Art + Wine held in Pack Place on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.For one night, enjoy all that Asheville is known for while supporting the Asheville Art Museum. Good company, fine wines, craft beers and delicious food from local restaurants will take over Pack Place. The Celebrate 60! Raffle drawing will be held at the end of the evening — so get tickets soon! Visit www.ashevilleart.org to view raffle packages and to purchase tickets. The leader in arts programming and education for Western North Carolina, the Asheville Art Museum survives through community support. All proceeds from this event will go toward films, artists’ talks, musical concerts and other outstanding public programs the Museum regularly presents. The evening will also include a silent auction, in which a limited number of unique, high-end items will be up for bid. With so much offered, a “taste” may not be enough! Ticket prices are $30 per person; $55 per couple for Museum Members and $35 per person; $65 per couple for non-Members. All tickets sold at the door are $40 per person. A Taste of Art + Wine is usually a sell out event, so reserve your tickets early by calling 828.253.3227. What a delicious idea! Labels: art, asheville, events, museums, wine Tuesday, September 1, 2009 Asheville Affiliates to Host “Fur Ball” Fundraiser for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue9:16 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Non-profit fundraising organization The Asheville Affiliates will be hosting a benefit for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue on September 10th, 2009 at Decades Bar and Grill, from 6:30-9:30 PM. Cover price to include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and entertainment by Firecracker Jazz Band.Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with all proceeds to benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Raffle and silent auction will be held, with prizes including vacation rentals, spa treatments, local art, and sports and hotel packages at The Grove Park Inn. Join us for an afterparty by Decades - cash bar available. HomeTrust Bank will be providing free parking across the street. Please leave pets at home – this is a party FOR pets, not with them! This event, along with all Affiliates events, is open to the public.,/p> RSVP on Facebook, or for more information e-mail janinebitz@yahoo.com or call 828-458-7778. Labels: art, asheville, events, pets, spa Monday, August 31, 2009 The Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival Scheduled for Spetember 6th11:50 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Arts 2 People is excited to bring you the 8th annual FREE, Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival. Three blocks of N. Lexington Ave will be lined with all local art, food, beer and street performers on Sunday, September 6th from 11am – 10pm between College Street and the I 240 overpass. The street will be brimming with a celebration Asheville's diverse and unique culture.Three stages and two courtyards of music and performance include rock and roll, indie pop, funk, folk, ragtime, reggae, world beats, singer songwriters, bluegrass, old time, drummers, clowns, magicians, contortionists, belly dancers, modern dancers, vaudeville actors, fire dancers, break dancers, and hula hoopers. The complete lineup will be available within the next couple of weeks; stay tuned to our emails find out more details of the day's events. LAAFF is great for the whole family. Kids will love making art, dancing, and having fun all day long. Many kids' performance acts include kids' hip hop, break dancing, modern dance, jump roping, jazz and more. The big "kids" will enjoy the ever popular bicycle jousting, local brews, an eclectic culinary and artistic experience, as well as a selection of Big People Games. Each year the festival grows larger and gets even better. We are now considered by the City to be Asheville's largest independent festival! We grew by 30% last year, and expect a similar increase this year. This is truly the festival that showcases all of Asheville's creative juices. With an attendance of about 12,000 people, LAAFF relies on community support to ensure our success each year. LAAFF is a volunteer driven event put on by and for the community. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer or as a sponsor please contact Festival Director, Frank Bloom at thunderdrums77@gmail.com.Your contribution of joining us and experiencing a fun day of creative expression will support local non-profit Arts 2 People and our many projects. Arts 2 People is devoted to promoting the role of the arts as an integral part of our culture by serving the entire community through arts outreach, bringing the arts to those in need, supporting the careers of artists, and through community cultural development. Arts 2 People's many projects include The Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program, The REACH Educational series, The Asheville Mural Project, Moving Women, The Faces of Asheville and more. To find out more, visit www.arts2people.org. Labels: art, asheville, events, festivals, food, music
Temporary Closing of Craggy Gardens Picnic Area Due to Bear Sightings11:43 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Blue Ridge Parkway officials announce the temporary closure of the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area at Milepost 367.6 until at least Labor Day weekend, September 4, 2009. The closure began Friday, August 21 because of bear activity in the area.The problems with bear at Craggies began in mid-July, when park maintenance staff found food pulled out of a dumpster. "Soon thereafter, we began seeing bear during the day. Bears were completely unafraid of people by early August," said Doc Cross, a maintenance employee who often works at Craggy Gardens. "Three or four bears were regularly raiding the dumpster," Cross said. The dumpster at Craggies had a broken latch, and park rangers observed bears opening the dumpster and getting in to get food. The dumpster has been removed. It is relatively unusual for the park to close a picnic area, but "This is an unusual year," said District Ranger Tim Francis. “If we can keep food away from bears by closing the picnic areas, then we have a chance to keep both people and bear healthy and alive,” said Francis. Park officials hope that bear will move out of the picnic area by Labor Day weekend so it can be reopened. “We won’t know for sure, though, until we get closer to the long weekend,” said Francis. "We're advising people to be really careful with the food in their campgrounds and while picnicking, making sure they store food in their vehicles," said Bambi Teague, Chief or Resource Management and Science. Though we have closed only the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, we are having problems all along the 469 mile parkway. “We want visitors to fully comprehend that when they feed bears, whether accidently or on purpose, they kill bears.” Bears that become unafraid of humans will walk right up to people expecting food. The closer the bear get to people, the greater chance we have that someone will get hurt. When bears become unafraid of people, sometimes the only option we have is to kill them.” Earlier in the month a bear made physical contact with a picnicker at Craggies and was later killed by euthanasia. One reason for the increased bear sightings is because the area's black bears are coming unusually close to humans to forage for food. Their food supplies are low right now, and people are leaving food out. The bear population is also on the rise. A culvert trap has been placed in the picnic area in hopes of capturing and releasing bear, thereby reinforcing its fear of humans. Parkway visitors are reminded to keep all campsites and picnic areas clean and store food in containers locked in vehicles. Grills should also be removed of any food remains. Food or garbage should never be stored in tents or left unattended on picnic tables.
WCU Ranked No. 10 Among Public Master's Universities in South10:59 AM CULLOWHEE, NC - The latest U.S. News & World Report guide to “America’s Best Colleges” ranks Western Carolina University 10th among public universities in the South that offer master’s degrees.The list in which WCU is ranked includes higher education institutions that offer a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and that tend to attract most of their students from surrounding states. It is the first time WCU has made the U.S. News top 10 list of southern public master’s institutions. "Western Carolina has moved steadily up the rankings over the past few years, and we are glad to see that trend continue again this year," said WCU Chancellor John Bardo. "In recent years, our College of Education and Allied Professions has received two major national honors, and our academic programs in business administration, project management, criminal justice and entrepreneurship have earned high national rankings, so it is obvious that our rising academic quality is becoming known nationally. "Also, earlier this year, our Pride of the Mountains Marching Band was named recipient of the Sudler Trophy, the ‘Heisman Trophy’ of university marching bands. We think there are plenty of signs that good things are happening in Cullowhee," Bardo said. Still, Bardo cautioned prospective students against putting too much stock in rankings when they are making the important decision about where to go to college. "After students narrow down their list of prospective colleges to a handful, they should visit the various campuses to get a feel about which one is right for them," he said. Bardo said high school graduates who decide they want to become WCU Catamounts can expect to find some of the nation’s best teachers and researchers, representing a wide variety of academic programs, when they enter the classrooms. Among the faculty are Ron Rash and Robert Conley, two of the nation’s top fiction writers; Nancy Helm-Estabrooks, an internationally recognized expert in the field of adult neurological communication disorders; Rob Young, one of the nation’s most-sought-after experts on coastal issues and hurricane impacts; and John Williams, one of only 60 board-certified forensic anthropologists in North America. WCU representatives will hold informational programs across the state in September to help shed some light on the college admission process for students and their families. The stops include Concord, Sept. 14; Durham, Sept. 15; Raleigh, Sept. 16; and Greensboro, Sept. 17. In addition, Open House sessions will be held on the Cullowhee campus on Oct. 3, Nov. 14, Feb. 17 and April 17. Labels: asheville, education, schools, western carolina
Asheville Greenworks Sponsors West Asheville Garden Stroll10:49 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville GreenWorks and WABA will be sponsoring the First Annual West Asheville Garden Stroll next month on Saturday, September 12 from 11AM-4PM. Kickoff ceremony will be held at 10:30AM at the West Asheville Library.This event is free to the community and will highlight 15 sites of interest including Vermont/Sulphur Springs (where the Cherry Tree Gardens, pictured above, are located), Falconhurst, Brucemont/Louisiana, Burton Street and East-West Asheville. There will be demonstrations by local business owners, music and food and beverages. The LaZoom Tour Bus will run between the West Asheville Garden clusters. Add the First Annual West Asheville Garden Stroll to your calendars now! For more information, visit this website: www.westashevillegardens.com.
Tourists' 16 Inning Marathon Smells Sweet for Rose10:02 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists completed the longest game in the SAL this season in 16 innings with a 3-2 win thanks in part to Patrick Rose. The seldom used second baseman was in the midst of every key scoring play including plating the winning run in the 16th inning. The Tourists bullpen combination of Isaiah Froneberger, Stephen Dodson and Tyler Trice hurled eight scoreless innings in the win, backing up a strong start form Dan Houston. The victory ends the Tourists three game skid and keeps Asheville at least 3.5 games up in first place with eight more to play.
With the game tied at 2-2 since the seventh inning Rose scored the winning run on a Delta Cleary double. Rose walked to begin the frame, stole second base and scored on Cleary's second double of the afternoon. Adam Jorgenson entered in the bottom of the inning and struck out the final two batters to earn his league-leading 26th save on the year. The Tourists were held hitless through the first five innings off Hot Rods start Chris Andujar until Patrick Rose broke through with a bunt single. Rose broke up the no-hitter and scored the games first run on Jordan Pacheco's single in the sixth inning. Andujar tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed one run on two hits with six strikeouts.Bowling Green took a 2-1 lead with two runs off Dan Houston in the sixth inning. Jason Corder squeaked an infield single to score Jake Jeffries and Isaias Velasquez. With two outs and two runners on Asheville intentionally walked Mike Sheridan to load the bases. Corder then came through with the infield to score the only runs off Houston. Houston left with a no decision after seven innings of work .Houston stuck out four, walked six and allowed just two runs on five hits. Houston has now allowed just two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 25 starts this season. Isaiah Froneberger entered the game in the eighth inning and tossed two scoreless innings to send the contest into extra innings. Patrick Rose contributed once more in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at two runs apiece. Mike Zuanich was hit by a pitch and moved to third base on a two out Tyler Massey single. Rose then yanked a pitch into right field to tie up the game. Dodson, Froneberger, and Tyler Trice and Jorgenson combined for the final nine innings of relief. The quartet allowed a sparse three hits with Trice (5-5) picking up the win. Diego Echeverria tossed his knuckleball for four scoreless innings. Diego Echeverria (3-2) took the loss despite allowing one run in six innings pitched. The knuckleballer danced around trouble and five walks to keep Bowling Green going. The Tourists had a scoring opportunity end with a triple play in the first inning. Delta Cleary began the game by reaching on an error and David Christensen followed with a walk off Chris Andujar. With the runners in motion, Jordan Pacheco lined a 3-2 pitch to the right fielder who then tossed to first baseman Mike Sheridan to double off Christensen. Sheridan then ran the ball to second base to complete the triple play. Asheville will play the final game of the three game series in Bowling Green on Monday at Noon. Jonathan Aristil (3-8, 5.36) will face off against Shane Dyer (1-9, 5.56) for the Hot Rods. The Tourists will return home on Tuesday for the final homestand of the season. Tickets are available by contacting the front office at 828.258.0428. Labels: asheville, baseball, sports, tourists Friday, August 28, 2009 Guide Service Climbs into Asheville with Climbing Classes11:37 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Raleigh based rock climbing and ice climbing guide service and climbing school has expanded it's climbing class offerings to climbers in Western NC by offering their Climb Outside Rock Climbing Class on September 26-27, 2009 at Looking Glass Rock NC.These classes give people the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to begin rock climbing outside. Asheville is an ideal location for these classes because of the volume of climbing areas, and the volume of people who desire to learn how to climb outdoors but aren't sure where to get started. Students learn anchor building, rope management, knot tying, belaying, rappelling, rescue, and more. The class consists of 2 full day sessions, where the first day will be spent teaching the skills, and the second day will be spent putting the newly acquired skills into practice. The classes are open to all experience levels, and all equipment is provided. Details on the Asheville Climb Outside Rock Climbing Class can be found on the Climb Outside Website (www.ascentadventure.com). "Taking this class taught me a lot and confirmed things I had already been in the process of learning. Even though I have much more to learn it allowed me to feel confident, to go with my partner, and climb outside at my current level," expresses Chris Troisi, a Climb Outside Class participant. For an interview, or to find out more information about the classes and unique services Ascent Adventure Consultants provides, please contact Brandon Hensinger at bhensinger@ascenadventure.com or 877-254-4617. Also, visit the Ascent Adventure Consultants website to learn more. Labels: asheville, events, outdoors
Grove Park Taps Beverly Hanks to Market Fitzgerald Condominiums11:15 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The wholly owned development entity of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa—recently selected Asheville-based real estate firm Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Inc. as the listing agent to drive sales at The Fitzgerald Condominiums, located on the historic grounds of The Grove Park Inn. "We’re very excited to be selected to represent The Fitzgerald," said Neal Hanks, President of Beverly-Hanks. "The Fitzgerald is a premier offering in Asheville. It has a coveted location at the historic Grove Park Inn, just minutes from downtown. And it offers a finished product with finished amenities."The Fitzgerald is a picture of strength in today’s market, offering itself as a limited collection of 24 elegant residences. Each unit overlooks the celebrated Donald Ross Golf Course and provides breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown Asheville. Units range in size from 1,969 to 2,843 square feet, with prices beginning at $1 million. A host of privileges and amenities are available to owners through an exclusive Grove Park Inn Community Membership, including complimentary, unlimited access to the nationally acclaimed, award-winning Spa, golf privileges at the Inn’s Donald Ross Golf Course and access to a 50,000 square-foot Sports Complex. Already, The Fitzgerald has generated a lot of interest and momentum—25% of the units have closed and the first residents have moved in. To help Beverly-Hanks drive sales at The Fitzgerald, GPI Ventures has also enlisted the help of a local sales and marketing firm, The Carolina Agency, a small group of Senior-Level only marketing specialists who have a great deal of experience in high-end real estate and master-planned communities. Additionally, The Fitzgerald is listed as a featured community at downtown Asheville’s Private Mountain Communities (PMC), the recognized authority on Western North Carolina real estate and mountain living. According to Craig Madison—a former marketing agency owner and current President and CEO of The Grove Park Inn—the combination of Beverly-Hanks, The Carolina Agency and PMC offers exactly the right mix of experience and talent to take The Fitzgerald to the next level. "We’ve enjoyed a good deal of early success in the local market," he says, "but it’s now time to take a more targeted and integrated message to the regional and national markets. The team of players we’ve assembled—with their industry experience in upscale lifestyle-based communities and extensive knowledge of our market—enables us to do that." For anyone desiring to learn more about The Fitzgerald or to take an up-close tour of the property, a model residence is now open daily—Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Labels: asheville, Grove Park Inn, real estate
Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Announces Artist Program11:03 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The states of Virginia and North Carolina share many beautiful things – mountains and forests, farmland and coast, rich heritage and friendly towns. They also share the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and an appreciation for the many talented artists who live along its route.Two of the most gifted artists from Virginia and North Carolina – P. Buckley Moss and Teresa Pennington, respectively – have created special works of art to commemorate the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary. Moss will unveil a new work commemorating the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary at events September 11 and 12 at The Framer’s Daughter, 121 N. Main Street in Galax, VA. The artist will be at the gallery from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. September 11 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 12. Representatives from the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th committee will join her at the September 11 appearance. For further information, contact Kay Weddle at 276.236.4920 or by e-mail. The painting will be released as both a limited edition offset lithograph as well as a poster. Its unveiling coincides with the Parkway’s celebration of its 75th year September 11, 2010. The print and poster will be available after the unveiling on the P. Buckley Moss Web site www.pbuckleymoss.com and at authorized Moss dealers. In addition to Moss’s commercial success as an artist, she has worked to raise over $4 million for charitable organizations and has established the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education, promoting the use of art in school curriculums as a learning instrument for students with learning differences. Teresa Pennington has created four drawings in her series of limited edition giclees and lithographs. Pennington’s work will be unveiled the evening of October 9 at T. Pennington Gallery in Waynesville, NC. Pennington has also created four series of drawings for Biltmore Estate over the past 17 years. Her work has also been commissioned by the U.S. Forest Service and the Western North Carolina Diocese of the Episcopal Church Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative prints by both artists will benefit the Parkway’s 75th anniversary. Labels: art, asheville, Biltmore Estate, events, parkway Thursday, August 27, 2009 UNCA Men's Soccer Downs Catawba 3-18:45 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - UNC Asheville got goals from three different players as the Bulldogs defeated Catawba 3-1 in a men's soccer exhibition match at Greenwood Field Monday afternoon.The Bulldogs got goals from Bryan George, Zach Odum and Colton Paschall to build a 3-0 lead. The Indians got a PK goal from Andrew Landry midway through the second half for their score. "It took 20 minutes for us to get going but once we did our lads played some good soccer and were able to get a result," admitted Asheville coach Steve Cornish. "We still have a great deal of work to do before the season starts but there were positive things that occured this afternoon." Paschall sent a pass to George who scored in the 23rd minute to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. In the second half, freshman Zach Odum tallied in the 55th minute off a double-assist from Weston Brown and David Parra for a 2-0 margin. The Bulldogs final goal came from Paschall off a long cross from Branden Lassen for a 3-0 lead in the 62nd minute. Asheville was called for a foul in the box one minute later and Catawba was awarded a penalty kick. Landry tucked the ball into the left corner to narrow the lead to 3-1. The Bulldogs open the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at national power UNC Chapel Hill at 4 p.m.Labels: asheville, sports, UNCA
Mission Hospital Earns Top Performer Status in Heart Care8:27 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Mission Hospital has been named a top performer in heart attack treatment and rewarded for delivering high quality care in a total of five clinical areas by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.Based on fourth-year results from the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration project, Mission Hospital placed in the top 20 percent of hospitals for treatment of acute myocardial infarction, heart attack. Mission exceeded median level scores in coronary artery bypass graft, hip and knee replacement, treatment of heart failure, and pneumonia. "Providing outstanding patient care has always been the primary mission of Mission Hospital," said Dale Fell, Mission's Chief Medical Officer. "This project has allowed us to benchmark ourselves against some of the best hospitals in the country. Our Top Performer status is a testament to the excellent patient care provided by our physicians and staff." For its performance, Mission will receive an incentive payment of $142,891 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who awarded payments of approximately $12 million to 225 hospitals. Over the course of the first four years of the project, Mission has received 11 overall awards, including (seven Top Performance and four Attainment) in five clinical areas, receiving $847,928 in awards. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded more than $36.5 million overall over the first four years of the project. "The successes of the hospitals - small and large, urban and rural, teaching and non-teaching - in the HQID project have led to its consideration as the basis for key national health reforms," said Susan DeVore, Premier president and CEO. "As the proposal of a national value-based purchasing program becomes a reality, hospitals participating in HQID will have six years experience with such a model." Labels: asheville, health, hospitals, Mission Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Tourists Bounce Back in 11-9 Win4:00 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Mike Zuanich and Kiel Roling homered once more to vault the Asheville Tourists back from a five-run deficit to an 11-8 victory to open a four game series against Greensboro on Tuesday. Zuanich hit a three run homerun to tie the game 7-7 in the fifth inning and Roling smacked the go-ahead homer in the sixth. Stephen Dodson tossed three innings of relief to earn his sixth win of the year. Adam Jorgenson pitched the ninth for his league-leading 24th save of the season.
Mike Zuanich hit a three-run homer to tie the game at 7-7 in the fifth inning. Kiel Roling then delivered his 18th homerun of the season to give the Tourists an 8-7 lead. Asheville has now hit 17 homeruns in their past nine ballgames. Greensboro scored six runs in the third inning to take a 6-1 lead. Ryan Keedy and Thomas Hickman each had homeruns in the frame to make it a short night for Asheville's starter Jonathan Aristil. Aristil was removed following the third inning for Stephen Dodson out of the bullpen. Dodson (6-0) tossed three innings and allowed just one run to earn the win. Rex Brother hurled two innings and allowed a solo homerun to Thomas Hickman - his second homer of the game. Adam Jorgenson entered the ninth with a three-run lead and picked up his 24th save of the season in the 11-9 win. Scott Robinson had three extra-base hits and scored three times while Patrick Rose had a multi-hit contest as well. The Tourists collected 19 hits on Tuesday after being shutout 3-0 on Monday. The win keeps Asheville at least 2.5 games up in first place with 13 remaining on the schedule. Game two of the series vs. Greensboro will be Wednesday at 7:05. Alan DeRatt (2-5, 5.21) will go against LHP Brad Hand for Greensboro. Tickets are available by contacting the front office at 828-258-0428. Labels: asheville, baseball, events, sports, tourists
Dahlia Show Delights the Senses at The NC Arboretum3:15 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC – The rewards of spring and summer come full bloom at The North Carolina Arboretum this fall as hundreds of dahlias in rainbow colors and in widely ranging forms and sizes will be on display on September 12 and September 13.
The Carolinas Dahlia Society’s Annual Judged Show is a perfect follow-up to the May sales that provide guests with an opportunity to learn more about how to grow dahlias as well as options to buy plant starters. Guests to The NC Arboretum will be able to enjoy the shows and flower sales as well as trail walks, family activities, and exhibits. Exhibitors from five states, including commercial and amateur growers from our local mountains, upstate South Carolina, Metro-Atlanta, southeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and the North Carolina Piedmont, will participate. The Flower Displays will contain blossoms in every color except black, blue or green; in every size from ¾ inch to over 12 inches in diameter; in over 17 distinct forms recognized by the American Dahlia Society. Dahlia Society members will answer questions and offer advice on cultivating dahlias, and flowers will be available for purchase while supplies last. The Dahlia Show is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($6 per personal motor vehicle). Visitors are encouraged to explore the Arboretum’s 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, engaging exhibits, and bountiful opportunities to connect with nature. For information, call 828.665.2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.Labels: asheville, events, nc arboretum
A-B Tech Holds Summer Commencement2:50 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - A-B Tech Student Services Vice President Dr. Dennis King urged graduates to share their newly attained knowledge with others, as part of the responsibility that comes with success, during Summer Commencement at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
"Charge for it (the knowledge) fairly, if you are in a position of setting fees. Give it away to the less fortunate who nevertheless need your skills. And comfort those who come to you stressed by a problem that you can solve. That's being a professional, as well as being a good person," commencement speaker King said. King also reminded the graduates to remain current and continue on a path of lifelong learning, to be open to change, to be humble and ethical, to mentor others as soon as they are able and to be a "round" person. "E. M. Forster, the renowned 20th-century author, classified fictional characters as flat or round. Flat characters are predictable, simple, one dimensional, whereas round characters are unpredictable, complex, and multi-faceted," King said. "Forster went on to say that round characters are the truly interesting ones. That truth can be taken beyond fiction and into life itself. You want to be not only a health care professional, but one who volunteers at the local homeless shelter; not only an auto mechanic, but a mechanic with a political opinion; not only a chef, but one who loves baseball. Find the outside interest that makes you a round character." During the ceremony, President Emeritus and Trustee Harvey Haynes called for a moment of silence for fellow trustee J. Herbert Coman, who died July 13. Coman's cap and gown were placed in an empty chair in his memory. A-B Tech Interim President Richard Mauney presented the Staff Member of the Year Award to Tamala Barnett, Arts and Sciences division secretary. "I am especially pleased to present this award to Tamala because she is one of our very own graduates," Mauney said. "When the Arts and Sciences dean's secretary retired a few years ago, Tamala took on those responsibilities in addition to her other ones for several months, while we hired and trained a replacement for Tamala so she could move into the vacant position." Dr. Sam Dosumu, Instructional Services vice president, awarded Continuing Education Faculty Member of the Year to Gary Crossey, a computer training instructor. One of Crossey's students who nominated him for the award wrote, "Gary not only has his finger constantly on the pulse of new technology, but more importantly, he knows how to explain it to the students and help us stay excited about the class subject matter. His teaching style is very personal and fun. He has patience and easily encourages creativity." The College had 188 students complete the requirements to earn 189 degrees and diplomas for the August graduation including a posthumous Associate in Arts degree presented to the family of Reed Ignizio, who died in a drowning accident in June. Ignizio, who would have graduated with high honors, was also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and had received a Carolina Covenant scholarship to attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Labels: AB Tech, asheville, education, events, schools Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Just Ducky’s Asheville Store is Moving to Biltmore Village12:30 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Just Ducky Originals, LTD, an Asheville-based children’s clothing manufacturer with stores in Asheville and Waynesville announced today that it will be relocating its Asheville store from 100 Charlotte Street to 10 All Souls Crescent in Biltmore Village. The new location has a planned opening date of Friday, September 4th – Labor Day weekend.
"We are excited to become a part of Historic Biltmore Village and its quaint shopping atmosphere," said Sallie Broach, owner of Just Ducky Originals. "The location at the entrance to the Biltmore Estate with its large tourist draw for Asheville is what helped convince us to move." Sallie started Just Ducky nearly 30 years ago in the attic of her Asheville home. The company has grown to a multi-million dollar venture with over 300 women selling the children’s line in home shows across the country. Two Just Ducky retail locations specialize in classic fashions for boys and girls, where you’ll find the Just Ducky line at 30%-50% off, as well as other beautiful children’s lines, unique baby gifts, and a large selection of accessories. Labels: asheville, Biltmore Estate, children, retail
Barnes and Noble in Biltmore Park to Open September 2nd9:08 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Throughout the generations, stories have never ceased to thrive as they transport us, comfort us, and teach us. Whether it is a new novel or even a new cookbook that you are eager to try, readers know that the first crease in a book binding can mean that they are in store for something unforgettable. And Asheville bibliophiles are in store for just that because a new Barnes & Noble is set to open on September 2nd in Biltmore Park Town Square. The new store could not be opening at a better time. With schools gearing up for a new academic year, students and educators will love the resource section, where textbooks, study guides, and more will be available to help them get back into their fall routines. In addition, the array of calendars, office supplies, journals, and unique gifts are the perfect way to stay organized post summer vacation. As the world's largest bookseller, Barnes & Noble will boast more than 200,000 titles in your favorite book genres, music selections, DVDs, and magazines. The new store will also feature a membership program, special order service, complimentary Wi-Fi, Starbucks Cafe, and a space for year-round community events. In fact, they will kick off the festivities with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a friends and family preview night party on September 1st from 6 to 9 p.m., where a portion of the proceeds will go to Clear Creek Elementary School. The new store's ideal location in Town Square will also help meet the needs of customers by helping Biltmore Park become a one stop shopping destination. Located next to the newly opened Hilton Asheville and surrounded by residences, restaurants, a stadium seat movie theater, YMCA, boutiques, spas, and a variety of restaurants, visitors will enjoy spending a whole day knowing that they do not have to use their car to get from place to place. So, if there is a new must-read on your book list, be sure to mark your calendar for September 2nd, and be one of the first to explore Asheville's newest bookstore. Labels: asheville, books, events, restaurants Monday, August 24, 2009 Tourists To Sell Playoff Tickets Beginning Today at 10 A.M.12:06 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists, currently in the heat of the race for the second-half Southern Division pennant in the South Atlantic League, have announced that playoff tickets will go on sale at the McCormick Field box office beginning Tuesday, August 25, at 10 a.m. The Tourists would host the first game of the Southern Divisional Championship Series against the Greenville Drive, the first-half winner, on Wednesday, September 9. The winner of the Southern Divisional Championship Series will then host the third, fourth and fifth games of the South Atlantic League Championship Series, slated for Thursday, September 17, Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. All games at McCormick Field would start at 7:05 p.m. Single game playoff tickets at McCormick Field will be available beginning Monday for $9 for general admission, $12 for box seats, $42 for the Asheville Citizen-Times Clubhouse and $47 for the Bojangles Dugout Suites. Four-game playoff packages are available at a reduced rate, including $32 per general admission pack, $44 for box seats, $152 for the Asheville Citizen-Times Clubhouse and $172 for the Bojangles Dugout Suites. Senior, children and military discounts are also available at the box office. Fans who purchase or renew their season ticket packages, flex packages or mini-plans will receive playoff tickets at no cost. The number of playoff tickets will be equal to the number of seats purchased for the regular season or two per flex plan. Any money remaining from unplayed playoff games will be credited to the 2010 season. The pennant race returns to McCormick Field on Tuesday, August 25, when the Tourists and Greensboro Grasshoppers begin a four-game series, with each contest starting at 7:05 p.m. The Tourists also will host the Lexington Legends for three games, from September 1-3, which will be the final regular-season series of the slate. For additional information, contact the Tourists front office at (828) 258-0428. Labels: asheville, baseball, events, tourists Friday, August 21, 2009 Asheville Downtown Association Announces Oktoberfest10:58 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Downtown Association is excited to announce its inaugural Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 10 from 1-5pm on Wall Street. "Our Oktoberfest will mix Bavarian traditions with Asheville's eclectic vibe," says Adrian Vassallo, event organizer and ADA treasurer. He adds, "With Asheville’s recent recognition as 'Beer City USA,' the timing couldn't be more perfect to celebrate our local beer scene. Plus, Wall Street is an ideal venue for this event with its old world feel and original cobblestones." The event will feature beer tastings from local breweries including Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Green Man Brewery, and French Broad Brewing Company. Many brewers are featuring seasonal ales for Oktoberfest, and will be on hand to discuss their beers. Also, Wall Street restaurants Cucina 24, Jack of the Wood, and The Market Place will be preparing authentic German food fare served with local mustard from the Lusty Monk. Entertainment will cross the Bavarian-Asheville divide as well with the traditional from The Stratton Mountain Boys and the eclectic from Asheville's own The Goodies. The Stratton Mountain Boys have brought the haunting sounds of four alphorns, happy yodeling songs, shoe slapping dances, and lively spirited Polka music to audiences across the U.S for more than 30 years. The Goodies are the epitome of Asheville's funky and diverse music scene playing a gypsy-style eclectic hard rock and funk. Their live performances are known for being theatric and vaudevillian. The entertainment doesn't stop there. Festival-goers can participate in one or more of the many fun contests including yodeling, a costume contest, a stein race, and more. Prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $25 and include beer samples and a commemorative Oktoberfest glass. Tickets will be available August 31 at ashevilledowntown.org. Space is limited, so purchase early. The Asheville Downtown Association is a membership organization committed to being the voice of downtown. Labels: asheville, beer, downtown, events, food, restaurants
Scenic Savings: Fall Color Ablaze at The NC Arboretum10:47 AMASHEVILLE, NC - Natural beauty comes in a kaleidoscope of colors each fall at The North Carolina Arboretum - a beautiful bargain at only $6 per vehicle. Vibrant colors amid trees, shrubs, and perennials delight the senses at the Arboretum. Director of Horticulture Alison Arnold notes that many colors brighten the landscape, including brilliant reds from dogwood and maple trees, blazing oranges from black gum and persimmon trees, and glittering gold from a variety of shrubs and perennials. Surrounded by the Southern Appalachian mountains and adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America. Within its 434 acres, the Arboretum offers 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, a state-of-the-art production greenhouse, and one of the finest bonsai collections in the Southeastern United States. Engaging exhibits about science, art, and culture are featured year-round in the Baker Exhibit Center. Visitors during fall also have an opportunity to attend the Carolina Bonsai Expo, held at The North Carolina Arboretum every second weekend in October. This two-day horticultural extravaganza, situated in the midst of the colorful mountains during fall foliage season, features a juried display of bonsai by clubs from across a six-state region, a renowned bonsai marketplace, workshops, free demonstrations, and a popular Ikebana exhibit. For information, call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. Labels: art, asheville, events, nc arboretum, parkway
Mission Hospital and UNC Health Care Forge Agreement for Cancer Care and Research10:41 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Mission Hospital and UNC Health Care announced today that they have signed an affiliation agreement for cancer care and research, with the overall goal of enhancing the quality of care for cancer patients in western North Carolina, including providing access to new therapies and innovative research programs under development at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the NC Cancer Hospital. Both partners say that the affiliation is intended to be a long-term agreement, designed to adapt over time to the needs of the patient population in the areas that Mission serves. Initial programs under the agreement include improving community screening for earlier diagnosis and prevention of lung cancer through the efforts of oncology nurse navigators, participation in UNC's statewide cancer telemedicine network, and offering access to research projects and new treatments developed at UNC Lineberger. "We are very excited about what this expanded relationship with UNC Lineberger means to the patients and physicians of western North Carolina," said Joseph F. Damore, President & CEO of Mission Health System and Mission Hospital. "Cancer afflicts people of all ages, and we want to provide them with care that incorporates cutting edge research close to home. Our relationship with UNC Lineberger allows us to do that," said Dale Fell, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Mission Hospital. "This affiliation will enhance our ability to carry out the mandate we have received from the NC General Assembly under the University Cancer Research Fund, particularly in disseminating new knowledge and improving cancer care, screening, and prevention across the state," said Bill Roper, MD, MPH, dean of the UNC School of Medicine. Under the agreement, oncology nurse navigators will work to assess communities’ needs for screening and prevention of lung cancer, an important priority in a region where more adults use tobacco. Through UNC's newly-enhanced telemedicine capabilities, doctors in Mission’s facilities will be able to collaborate in real-time conferences with UNC in ways that focus on creating individualized treatment plans for patients - no matter where they are initially seen. Finally, patients at Mission's facilities will have access to research trials that will provide new treatments developed at UNC Lineberger without having to travel to Chapel Hill. "Partnering with an exceptional organization like Mission is not only good for both institutions but will be good for patients and their families - it's a superb opportunity for North Carolina," said Shelley Earp, MD, director of UNC Lineberger. Labels: asheville, hospitals, Mission
UNCA Draws High Marks from U.S. News & World Report College Rankings10:27 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - UNC Asheville, once again, has been praised by U.S. News & World Report’s "America’s Best Colleges" rankings released on August 20. The magazine’s highly anticipated ranking gave high marks to UNC Asheville for its commitment to teaching, innovation, undergraduate research and affordability.
New this year, U.S. News & World Report singled out 80 colleges and universities where "the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching." Among 19 public and private liberal arts colleges, UNC Asheville tied for 12th place with University of the South. UNC Asheville was the only public liberal arts college selected in this category. "While we always welcome national confirmation as a noteworthy university, it's especially gratifying to be recognized for adhering to our core mission of providing an outstanding liberal arts education for undergraduate students," said UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder. UNC Asheville was also noted for its overall positive upward trajectory. The University tied for ninth place among all liberal arts colleges as a "Top Up-and-Coming School" for having recently made promising and innovative changes. UNC Asheville was the only public liberal arts college named to this list. UNC Asheville's Undergraduate Research Program was among a handful to be listed by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the nation. This section of the guide lists eight academic programs that contain "outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success." UNC Asheville's Undergraduate Research Program is one among only 27 colleges and universities in the nation to be included in the Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects category. UNC Asheville, which founded the National Council for Undergraduate Research, has made this roster every year since it began eight years ago. In a category that listed colleges and universities whose class of 2008 students graduated with the least debt, UNC Asheville improved significantly, moving from number 24 among public and private liberal arts colleges to number 15 in the latest ranking. No other North Carolina college made this list. The newsstand book, "America's Best Colleges," which contains the U.S. News & World Report rankings, will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 25. Many of the rankings will be featured in the next issue of U.S. News & World Report magazine, which goes on sale August 24. The U.S. News & World Report rankings are among several accolades the University has recently received. In the 2010 edition of the "Fiske Guide to Colleges," UNC Asheville landed a spot on the Best Buy list of American and Canadian colleges for the 16th consecutive year. Earlier this year, UNC Asheville was among just 50 institutions nationwide named to the Princeton Review's "Best Value" Public Colleges list. Labels: asheville, education, UNCA
YWCA Hosts Neighborhood Apprciation Day, August 29th10:23 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The YWCA of Asheville will hold “Neighborhood Appreciation Day” on Saturday, August 29th from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.The YWCA encourages neighbors to stop by for snacks, tours, and coupons for free swim lessons. Visitors will be able to try out fitness equipment and classes including Yoga and Cardio Circuit. Water Aerobics and family swim will be offered in the YWCA’s solar-heated pool. Labels: asheville, events, ywca
City of Asheville Saves $65,000 on Electricity Costs10:19 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Shutting down computers, turning off lights and changing work schedules. Those are some of the strategies the city of Asheville used to save more than $65,000 in energy costs last year. The city implemented these and other programs by challenging employees to find ways they could save energy on their own."A little goes a long way. We had hundreds of city employees taking the extra step to conserve energy and participate in our sustainability programs," said Maggie Ullman, the city’s energy coordinator. The results paid off. Over the last year, the city reduced its municipal energy usage by 867,000 kilowatt hours, which is the same amount of energy it takes to operate City Hall for six months. As a result, the city reduced its municipal carbon footprint by 623 tons. The city points to three key sustainability programs as major contributors to the organization’s success during the last year: the compressed work week, an automatic computer shutdown program, and the employee energy conservation challenge. * The compressed work week, where employees typically work four ten hour days as opposed to a traditional five-day week, was first piloted in the Public Works Department and soon spread to other divisions. The schedule allows the city to realize energy savings by utilizing buildings, computers and other equipment 25 percent less. It also reduces the carbon footprint associated with employees commuting to work. About 180 city employees currently work a compressed schedule.,/p> * The computer shutdown program utilizes software to automatically turn off more than 500 city computers at 8 p.m. to reduce energy usage. * The energy conservation challenge encouraged employees to voluntarily reduce energy usage wherever possible. Simple acts like turning off lights when rooms were not in use and adjusting thermostats made an impact, especially in smaller facilities like community centers and fire stations. As part of its strategic plan for the city, the Asheville City Council included a focus area on green initiatives, stating, “Asheville will be the southeastern leader in clean energy and environmental sustainability while preserving and enhancing the city’s natural beauty.” In April 2007, City Council adopted a goal of reducing the municipal carbon footprint by 2 percent every year. Staff conducts an annual energy inventory to track the organization’s progress on energy usage. Asheville will use a Sustainability Management Plan adopted by City Council in June to guide ongoing efforts to further reduce energy consumption. To view Asheville’s Sustainability Management Plan or for information on other city sustainability programs, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/green. Labels: asheville, government, green, sustainable
Call for volunteers for Downtown Master Plan Action Committee10:13 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The Downtown Commission is looking for volunteers to serve on a Downtown Master Plan Action Committee. Members of the committee will work with business groups, nonprofit groups, or city staff to assist with accomplishing the goals in the Master Plan. The committee will be made up of five sub-groups: Arts and Culture; Historic Preservation; Transportation and Parking; Urban Design and Development; Downtown Management. Some of these strategies rely primarily on the private sector; in others the city is primarily responsible. It is anticipated that each sub-group will be comprised of no more than seven members.The commission is looking for individuals who have interest or expertise in the different areas (arts, historic preservation, transportation, development, downtown issues). Representatives of different sectors (businesses, property owners, residents, non-profits, churches, advocacy groups) are needed as well as people who bring collaborative skills. p>"We’re looking to cast a wide net as we did in the planning process,"said Dwight Butner, Vice-Chair of the Downtown Commission. "Anyone who is willing to help work on policy, programming or other downtown development issues and is ready to roll up their sleeves is welcome to apply. We’re excited to begin putting the plan into action."The full committee will meet periodically in addition to ongoing meetings of the working groups. The committee is expected to kickoff in late September or early October. Interested citizens should send a statement that includes their name, contact information (including mailing address), any specific skills and/or roles that they have in downtown, and an explanation of why they want to serve on the committee. This information should be sent to Sasha Vrtunski atsvrtunski@ashevillenc.gov, or faxed to 828-232-4506 or mailed to Office of Economic Development, 29 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Deadline for submitting is Tuesday, Sept. 8. For more information contact Sasha Vrtunski at 230-1271. Labels: asheville, downtown, events Monday, August 17, 2009 The Grove Park Inn is Hiring10:52 AMASHEVILLE, NC - Even in light of the economy’s recent downturn, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa announced today that it has over 40 positions that will be filled over the next 30 days. The Resort has a variety of job openings available in hourly, salaried, and management positions in several departments including accounting, food and beverage, front desk, grounds, guest services, housekeeping, laundry, marketing, retail, and telecommunications. "In the midst of tough economic times, we had limited filling any open positions," states Rachel Monroe, Director of Human Resources at The Grove Park Inn. "However, over the past few months we have seen an increase in travel demand at our property, which has certainly encouraged us to be cautiously optimistic about the future. As a result, we are actively recruiting qualified individuals to fill these open positions and become part of The Grove Park Inn family." Applications are available online. To learn more about specific jobs and to apply online please visit www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Careers. Labels: asheville, Grove Park Inn, jobs
Asheville Police Assigns New Downtown Unit10:48 AMASHEVILLE, NC - With the continued economic vitality and growth in the downtown area, Asheville police have seen an associated increase in calls for service in the Central Business District (CBD). In 2008, officers assigned to extra duty downtown (called "augment") handled more than 4,247 such calls, while also making more than 4,680 business contacts and recording some 16,000 non-enforcement interactions with the public. To further bolster our positive efforts in the CBD, the APD has formed a dedicated eight-member Downtown Unit to patrol the area on bike, foot and with electric GEM cars. "Nearly 20 percent of our calls for service and workload occurs in the Central Business District," Chief Bill Hogan said. "This is another way for us to address that call demand." The unit, which officially began patrols on July 29, is composed of existing personnel, with the only related costs being to furnish each officer with a bicycle and its associated uniforms and equipment. The unit's area of focus is roughly bordered by Interstate 240 to the north; Hilliard Avenue to the south; the roundabout at Woodfin Street to the east; and Clingman & Patton avenues to the west. "Having eight dedicated officers with a full-time focus on this area will allow us to develop and foster relationships with merchants, as well as with the people who work, live and visit downtown on a regular basis," Chief Hogan said. Labels: asheville, downtown, government, police
Intimidators Hold Off Tourists, Salvage Split10:32 AMASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists entered play on Sunday afternoon's series finale hoping to take three out of four, but could not solve the Kannapolis pitching staff, losing 7-2. Asheville managed nine hits but plated just two runs, after being held to just one run on ten hits in game three Saturday. Colorado Rockies' supplemental first round draft pick in 2009, Rex Brothers, made his debut for Asheville pitching a scoreless inning in relief. Thomas Field snapped out of a slump, going 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored, reaching base in each of his four plate appearances. Asheville had the lead early on, scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning on a Mike Zuanich sacrifice fly. The flyout gave the Tourists a 1-0 lead, and it was the sixth RBI in the four-game series for Zuanich. Kannapolis answered back with three runs in the top of the fourth. Asheville starter Alan DeRatt pitched around a few hits early on, but didn't have his best stuff, allowing three consecutive hits in the fourth before being chased from the game. Stephen Dodson came on in relief and allowed two inherited runners to score before retiring the side with the Intimidators ahead, 3-1. David Christensen delivered his second homerun of the series in the bottom of the inning, bringing Asheville to within 3-2. It was the team-leading 16th homerun of the season for Christensen, and one of his longest of the year. Stephen Dodson held Kannapolis scoreless until the seventh, when the Tourists turned to Kurt Yacko out of the bullpen. Yacko struggled, allowing four runs on five hits before getting out of the inning with Asheville trailing 7-2. Brothers made his debut in the top of the eighth, getting a groundout and a strikeout before allowing a bloop single into left field. Brothers then got catcher Luis Sierra to ground out to second base to end the frame. Asheville manufactured a great opportunity to get back in the game during the bottom of the eighth against Kannapolis reliever Kevin Asselin. Asselin hit the first two batters of the inning, Beau Seabury and Thomas Field, to get things started. Tyler Massey then smacked a base hit into left-center to load the bases with no outs. The Intimidators brought in closer Dan Remenowsky, who changed the game for Kannapolis. He struck out the side; Delta Cleary, Jr., Keil Roling, and Mike Zuanich, to leave Asheville scoreless. Remenowsky worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn the save and give his club a split of this four-game series. The Tourists (30-17) will travel to West Virginia Monday to take on the Power (27-18) for a four-game series before heading to Hickory for four more. Asheville will have RHP Parker Frazier (10-7, 4.44) on the mound for game one in West Virginia. You can listen to all 140 Tourists games live on the radio at 100.7 WRES FM or streaming online at www.theashevilletourists.com. Labels: asheville, baseball, events, sports, tourists Friday, August 14, 2009 Asheville Independent Restaurant Association Hosts 'Tomato Walk'11:43 AMASHEVILLE, NC - It's local tomato season. Run away from work, head to downtown Asheville, and visit your favorite independent restaurants for tomato tastings, tomato cocktails, tomato entrees, and more during Asheville Tomato Walk. Asheville Tomato Walk, an evening organized by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Partnership in partnership with Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), will take place Thursday, August 20 from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Labels: asheville, events, restaurants
Grove Park Announces Entry Guidelines for Gingerbread House Competition11:29 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Do you have what it takes to earn gingerbread glory? The only way to find out is to get baking and enter the 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition taking place at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in scenic Asheville, N.C. "This event has gained national recognition since The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa held the first competition back in 1993. We now receive hundreds of entries from across the country and it has blossomed into a true holiday tradition," said Ronald E. Morin, Executive Director of Operations at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. Judging by a professional panel takes place across four categories: Adult (18 years and older), Teen (13-17 years old), Youth (9-12 years old) and Child (5-8 years old). Entries are judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. Except for the base, the entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials. The maximum size of gingerbread houses in the competition cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet long and two feet high. The event takes over The Grove Park Inn Grand Ballroom. Contestants may deliver their gingerbread houses starting on Sunday, Nov. 15th, from 2 -8 p.m. and again on Monday, Nov. 16th, from 7-8:30 a.m. The judging begins on Nov. 16th, with the awards presented that day at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, plus a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn & Spa Resort, complete with dinner for two and breakfast daily at the historic hotel. All contestants will receive a personalized certificate. "The judges have a very difficult time selecting a winner in each category because of the level of creativity that contestants bring to this event. Moreover, we have guests return to the Grove Park Inn year after year just to take part in the tradition of viewing these gingerbread houses during the holidays," said Heather Brannan, Special Events Manager at The Grove Park Inn. "It's truly one of my favorite times of year at the resort." Labels: asheville, events, Grove Park Inn
City Purchases New Fire Trucks11:24 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville Fire and Rescue received three new fire trucks and they are now online and ready to serve the community. Quint 5, Ladder 10 and Engine 7, all manufactured by Pierce, were recently placed in service to help better serve the citizens of Asheville. These trucks were funded through the general fund and approved by City Council in order to plan for Asheville's future. Both Quint 5 and Ladder 10 replaced older model fire trucks, and Engine 7 was specifically designed for narrow streets. These new trucks ultimately will assist in energy goals of the city to reduce city carbon emissions. They will also help to make Asheville one of the safest cities in America based on the approved metrics for similarly sized cities. Labels: asheville, government
UNC Asheville Welcomes Freshmen11:14 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - UNC Asheville is preparing to welcome some 645 new Bulldogs to its ranks this Friday as freshmen move onto campus. Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 17. "The Class of 2013 is one of the larger classes," noted Barkley Barton, senior assistant director of Admissions. "And the overall academic profile of this class is very strong – among their ranks are several valedictorians and many truly outstanding students with high grade point averages and great college entrance test scores." This new freshmen class will check into residence halls from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Some 80 UNC Asheville faculty, staff, alumni, upperclassmen and College for Seniors members will be on hand to help freshmen and their parents with the move. Returning students will move in on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. A highlight of the freshmen's first day on campus will be a formal convocation ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, on UNC Asheville's Quad. Initiated in 1985 at UNC Asheville, convocation is rooted in ancient academic tradition. The ceremony will include the presentation of the Class of 2013 pin to each freshman, as well as the class dogwood tree, which will be planted on campus. Sam Kaplan, associate professor of mathematics and 2009 recipient of the UNC Board of Governors' Excellence in Teaching Award, will give the keynote address. New this fall, students will have the option of choosing Religious Studies as their major field of study. The new program, under the direction of Rodger Payne, offers students classes in Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Greek and Roman religions and a number of other courses that compliment UNC Asheville's liberal arts mission, said Payne. "Religious studies considers one of our oldest collective human experiences from a variety of academic disciplines," Payne said. "From music to mathematics, from art and politics, and beyond, each can be examined through the lens of religion. It's nearly the perfect way to encounter the liberal arts." Payne plans to continue building the program around classes that provide comparative examinations of faith traditions from around the world. Students in the sciences will find themselves in new, state-of-art laboratories in the recently opened in the Zeis Science & Multimedia Building. While a few classes were held in the $24 million building last spring, this fall will be the first semester that all science and multimedia classes and labs will be held in the new facility, located adjacent to Ramsey Library on the Quad. The University can now fully capitalize on "the collaborative learning style that showcases how we approach teaching the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)," said Keith Krumpe, dean of Natural Sciences. "The labs are designed like labs in industry; they are all project-based so students can work in teams." A $9 million renovation to Rhoades Hall, including spaces that were previously occupied by the Chemistry and Biology departments, should be completed in 2011, giving UNC Asheville some of the best undergraduate science facilities in the Southeast, Krumpe said. When not in class, freshmen – as well as upperclassmen – will be able to enjoy free events in the Weeks of Welcome series, designed to introduce students to campus life. Events this fall include a cookout, a block party, a performance by comedian Eddie Ifft, a rock climbing trip and a leadership conference. Labels: art, asheville, education, events, music, schools, UNCA
Queens Gap Purchased by Seven Falls Owner11:05 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Queens Gap, a 3,350-acre master-planned community located 30 miles east of Asheville, North Carolina on I-40 near Rutherfordton, North Carolina, has a new ownership effective immediately. Devinshire Land Development, LLC, Queens Gap's parent company, has been acquired by a company controlled by Keith Vinson. Queens Gap features a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and a number of world-class amenities including, a Wellness Pavilion, Outfitter's Lodge, Equestrian Center, Tennis Complex, and miles of walking and hiking trails. Tradition LLC, a management company owned by Vinson, will manage the construction and development of Queens Gap, along with the development of Seven Falls Golf & River Club located on more than 1,600 acres just 20 minutes from Asheville in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Seven Falls is home to the first Arnold Palmer Premier Club--featuring the 19-hole Arnold Palmer Premier championship course and the 60-acre practice campus that includes The Arnold Palmer Teaching Academy and its 9 practice holes, complete with USGA greens. As the management company for Western North Carolina's only golf and river clubs, Tradition will be able to efficiently manage construction progress and better utilize resources at the two developments. "At a time when many developments are on hold," says Vinson, "Queen's Gap and Seven Falls are moving forward with the community development construction. We are currently working on both properties, laying water lines, and building roads." What's more, Seven Falls and Queens Gap are making a significant impact on the Western North Carolina economy by creating a number of jobs in both the construction and hospitality industries. Thanks to a sustainable construction timeline, progress is clearly visible in both communities. At Queen's Gap, construction of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is set to begin this fall, while at Seven Falls the finishing touches are now being put on the precedent-setting Arnold Palmer Golf Academy that is scheduled to open this year. Labels: asheville, golf, planned community, real estate
William Nesbit Named to Handmade in America Board10:55 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - William W. Nesbit III, Senior Vice President, Branch Administrator and Commercial Lending Officer, has been named to the board of directors of Handmade in America, the nationally recognized organization for promoting craft and culture for community and economic development. Nesbit joined Bank of Asheville when it was founded in 1997. A native of Salisbury, he is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and last year graduated from the North Carolina Bankers Association School of Banking. Active in civic and professional affairs, Nesbit is a former board chair of Mountain BizWorks and continues to serve on the loan committee for Mountain BizCapital. He lives in West Asheville with his wife and two children. Bank of Asheville has been recognized as the top community bank in Western North Carolina and one of the strongest banks in the United States. It has five offices in Buncombe County - downtown Asheville, Candler, Leicester, Reynolds and South Asheville. Founded in 1993, Handmade in America is a nonprofit organization promoting craft and culture for community and economic development in Western North Carolina. It has served as a model for similar programs nationally and internationally. Labels: asheville, banks, non-profit Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Save the Date - Asheville Art Museum Presents Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space8:56 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary, proudly presents Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space from Saturday, September 19, 2009 to Sunday, February 7, 2010. The public is invited to an Opening Reception Friday, September 25, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.This exhibition celebrates the unique career of Ruth Asawa (1926 - ), an artist whose loopedwire sculptures and richly detailed drawings defy traditional conventions. This is Asawa’s first solo exhibition in North Carolina and features the gift of an important work of Asawa’s to the Asheville Art Museum from artist Lorna Blaine Halper. Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space begins with the her earliest sculptures, drawings and paintings created while at Black Mountain College and highlights several signature sculptures that formed her later visual vocabulary of looped and tied forms. This exhibition considers Asawa’s connection to Western North Carolina and Black Mountain College as it places her work within a larger national context of artists who "viewed art as a way of thinking and acting." Asawa was born in 1926 in Norwalk, California, the fourth of seven children born to Japanese immigrant farmers. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, her family was interned in New Mexico and Arkansas. She attended Milwaukee State Teachers College from 1943 to 1946. In 1946, she enrolled at Black Mountain College. There she studied with Josef Albers, Buckminster Fuller and Ilya Bolotowsky. Asawa’s philosophy that "there is no separation between studying, performing the daily chores of living and creating one’s own work" permeates a life and a career that has combined success as an artist, a mother of six and a community advocate for arts education in elementary schools. Asawa’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, and the Oakland Museum of California, where one of her tied-wire sculptures adorns the entrance. She has received numerous awards, and has served on the San Francisco Arts Commission, the California Arts Council, the John D. Rockefeller Foundation’s Council for Museum Education in the Visual Arts and the board of the Buckminster Fuller Institute. Labels: art, asheville, events, museums
Hilton Asheville to Open with Major Step Toward Eco-stewardship8:27 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The Hilton Asheville, scheduled to open this August, is one of the first major hotels in the United States to take a considerable step toward sustainability. For evidence of the Hilton Asheville’s unique commitment to eco-stewardship, you need only to look up. Atop the Hilton is one of the nation’s first hotel solar water heating systems. This system will be one of the largest installations in the Western North Carolina region.Water throughout the hotel, including the pool, will be solar heated, eliminating twenty-five tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of planting 7,377 trees. Here guests can feel good about relaxing in one of the Hilton’s Whirlpool Tubs or taking a dip in the heated saline pool. Moreover, the solar water heating system is just one of the hotel’s many environmentally focused features. The 165-room hotel is set in the heart of Biltmore Park Town Square, the largest mixed-use district outside of the city’s downtown. The Hilton Asheville was built to blend green practices with the Hilton’s acclaimed commitment to guest comfort, and was designed to LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards from the Green Building Council. LEED certification is based on numerous metrics including energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Committed to the stewardship of its natural surroundings, the Hilton will reduce water usage by 30% through the installation of low-flow toilets, showerheads and sink fixtures. The hotel will also focus on reducing energy consumption by using ENERGY STAR qualified CFL light bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Each kilowatt-hour saved preserves one pound of coal. The Hilton Asheville will also employ a recycling program for both guests and employees to further reduce raw materials, energy and air pollution. Select staff will even wear uniforms made out of regenerated plastic bottles. Promoting lower emissions is also part of the hotel’s sustainability efforts. Guests may accept shuttle service in an alternative fuel shuttle, which reduces the burning of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The hotel will offer preferred parking for energy efficient hybrid vehicles. Additionally, guests may choose to bicycle as an alternative to driving, ultimately reducing the use of gasoline and the production of carbon monoxide. The Hilton Asheville is proof that eco-conscious travel can come packed with amenities. Hilton houses spacious and inviting executive suites complete with luxurious bathrooms - some featuring Infinity Edge Whirlpool Tubs. Businesses committed to green travel will be attracted to the hotel’s state-of-the-art meeting facilities, 4,500 square feet of meeting space and green meeting policies that avoid the use of linens when possible. The hotel is also home to Sparrow Spa, a plush destination spa featuring a full menu of relaxing services. The spa will exclusively use Eminence Organic Skin Care products, a European line that contains the highest possible levels of all-natural organically grown herbs, fruits and vegetables. The hotel's ultra-modern fitness center features Precor equipment and an indoor lap pool and whirlpool. Traveling foodies will enjoy the gourmet stylings of Executive Chef Randy Dunn, who brings 15 years of culinary achievement to Roux, the on-site full service restaurant. The restaurant is making an effort to use as much local food as possible as part of the hotel’s place-making commitment. Hilton Asheville is located just off Interstate 26, Exit 37 on Long Shoals Road in Biltmore Park Town Square. This location is just 5 minutes from the Asheville Regional Airport and 15 minutes from Biltmore Estate and downtown Asheville. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just minutes away, along with many other attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Hilton is just steps from major national retailers and restaurants including P.F. Chang's, Barnes and Noble and REI.Pre-opening information about the Hilton Asheville, Biltmore Park Town Square is available at 828-210-8290. Guest reservations are currently accepted on www.ashevillebiltmorepark.hilton.com or through a travel professional. Labels: asheville, green, hotels, parkway, sustainable
Rain Suspends Threatening Tourists7:43 AM LEXINGTON, KY - The Asheville Tourists had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth inning before the rain ended the night from Lexington. Kiel Roling was intentionally walked with two runners on as the rain came down to suspend Monday's game. The game will be finished at 6:05 on Tuesday with a seven inning game following the completion.Alan DeRatt tossed four scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his third start of the season. DeRatt allowed two hits and walked none. The UNCA product has now made three starts this season and has allowed just three runs with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. Lexington starter Kyle Greenwalt pitched around baserunners in every inning. Scott Robinson singled to begin both the third and fifth innings. The Tourists used three sacrifice bunts to move runners over but were unable to bring anybody home. Jimmy Cesario followed the Robinson single in the fifth and Jordan Pacheco advanced the runners with a bunt to third. Roling was then intentionally walk to load up the bases for Mike Zuanich. The skies then opened up to end the night. The Tourists will pick up the suspended game on Tuesday and follow that with a seven inning contest in the regularly scheduled game. Parker Frazier (9-7, 4.70) is slated to pitch the seven inning contest. Asheville will wrap up the road trip on Tuesday with a day off on Wednesday. Labels: asheville, baseball, sports, tourists Previous Posts
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