DowntownAsheville.com: Involved
"Community News from the Grassroots Up" TM
PUBLISHED BY MEDIABEAR.COM
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands July 15-18
Asheville Civic Center, Thurs. - Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $7; children under 12 free | More>
Oil from BP well head stopped for now, choices open on how to kill the well | Favorable pressure tests continue to prompt BP to keep the new valve turned off on the newly installed cap to prevent the oil from spewing into the gulf. However, a decision must be made as to how to kill the well for good. | Nytimes.com.com | More>
2010: Parkway's 75th anniversary
Blue Ridge Parkway now open all the way
Experience 'America's favorite drive' from stem to stern
It's true. Finally. All 469.1 miles are open. From North Carolina to Virginia (Cherokee, NC, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to where the parkway joins the Skyline Drive outside of Waynesboro, VA), "America's Favorite Drive" has NO road closures. No rock slides. No downed trees. No construction. Nada. It's OPEN! Start your engines. Enjoy. More> | Thank all who got the job done and keep your fingers crossed to see how many continuous days before another parkway closure: More> | Inspired now to become a "Friend of the Parkway"? More> | Official National Park Service info: More> | Usual schedule of parkway facilities' openings and closings: More> | Printable NPS parkway map: More> | And the timing of the all-clear roadway couldn't be better. It's the parkway's 75th anniversary: More>
Explore Biltmore Village | Rapid River Arts & Culture Magazine | More>
If Toulouse Lautrec came to Asheville, what would he see? * 'Dream' watercolor by Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine * Lisaring.com
Paris of the South?
Local artist's 'Dream' watercolor series opens at BlackBird
In Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine's sparkling watercolors of her new "Dream" series, famous artists such as Dali, Gauguin, Lautrec and Matisse romp among Asheville's landmarks to answer the question: Is Asheville the Paris of the South? | The well-attended opening reception was held July 9, 2010, at BlackBird Frame & Art, 365 Merrimon Ave. in North Asheville. The show continues through July. | More>
North Carolina tax burden increases more than most states | More>
'This Gulf is your Gulf, this Gulf is my Gulf'
To borrow from the famous words of Woodie Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," a mountain-based commentary about The Oil Spill. | More>
'Save the French Broad' Raffle | A good cause. | More>
The Montford Park Players: North Carolina's longest-running Shakespeare festival * Photo: Montford Park Players
Free summer Shakespeare in the park this weekend
'Asheville Shakesperience' returns this Fri., Sat. & Sun.
The Montford Park Players will again offer the "Asheville Shakesperience" on July 16, 17 & 18, 2010. Each day the show begins at 7:30 p.m. It's classic theatrical entertainment under the stars — and it's free. Bring a blanket, food, family, friends (and umbrella). | 2010 Schedule & Rain Policy: More> | Directions: More>
Nature Center's 'Beauty of Butterflies' exhibit | Until Aug. 24 | More>
Ticketed 'Quad' performance at UNCA features Folkmoot
UNC Asheville’s 28th annual "Concerts on the Quad" summer music series finishes up with ticketed events performed by Folkmoot on July 24 & 25, 2010. | More>
2009 File Photo: MediaBear
Bele Chere Festival | The Southeast's largest annual FREE street party — to be held July 23, 24 & 25, 2010 — is all about the music | More>
And the winners are...
The judges have spoken. The best films of Asheville's 2010 48-Hour Film Project have been selected. | More>
The fair is one of the region's best * Photo: MediaBear
Village Art & Craft Fair Aug. 7 & 8 | Free in Biltmore Village | More>
Mayor Bellamy gives the latest news on sports in Asheville
Asheville will host Southern Conference basketball tournament
Event projected to be worth millions to the city and business
"The trickle down will be huge," says Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Kelly Miller, referring to the effect the city will gain from being the host city for the tournament.
Under great fanfare in a mid-afternoon press conference held June 3, 2010, in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Asheville Civic Center, Mayor Bellamy, as part of a full-court press blitz by Asheville City and Buncombe County officials, bounced out the good news that sports equals money. | More>
National Health Lottery | Local business owner/author explains | More>
Smith is all ears
Councilmember Gordon Smith offers 24th installment of 'All Ears' | Citizens have a chance to voice their concerns online to someone who can actually do something about it. Or as Smith explains his innovative "thread" on his ScrutinyHooligans.us: "In an effort to create ease of access to government, I’m opening this thread for all of your Asheville concerns. Leave your observations, visions, rants, and gushy love letters here." Go, Gordon! | More>
Literacy Council fundraiser Aug. 27 | Third annual "Authors for Literacy" dinner & silent auction features NY Times best-selling novelist John Hart at Asheville Renaissance Hotel | More>
2010 directory online and in print
The free, annual update, a collaborative effort between WNC Green Building Council and Mountain Xpress, offers articles, case studies and checklists about sustainable building practices, and lists who can get the job done. It is available in print at local newstands and online | More>
DowntownAsheville.com Commentary
Asheville's Unholy Media Marriage: Ashvegas & AC-T
I have sad, sad, sad news for you who love the grassroots community of Asheville: the lively, colorful, local blog that everyone loves, Jason Sandford's Ashvegas, has just teamed up with the Gannett newspaper, Asheville Citizen-Times.
Or as CBS late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson would say, "Oh, my God! I know." | To view this commentary, Click Here>
Rich countries are happier than poor countries | Denmark #1 | More>
What kind of city do we want to be? asks Mayor Bellamy
On Feb. 4, 2010, at the annual State of Downtown luncheon, Asheville mayor Terry M. Bellamy asked and answered the main question that the 100-plus attendees wanted to know: "What kind of city do we want to be... and how will we get there?" | Also, read an informative 11-page report, entitled "Asheville, NC 2010: A Financial Crossroads." | More>
Can 'the millennials' (the 'echo boomers') save us? | Please! | More>
*TAKE A HIKE in the Asheville area | Download an excellent walking guide to Asheville and Buncombe County: Click Here>
"Happy" author Ian Smith talks about how to get the most out of life | July 5, 2010, discussion with PBS's Tavis Smiley includes ways to combat obesity and figure out what is most important to you. | More>
ACCESS ASHEVILLE
Live entertainment
*WHO'S PLAYING when and where | To link up to Downtown Asheville's best productions, Click Here>
Asheville downtown Master Plan approved
*ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL approved the controversial plan | For article by MountainXpress, entitled "Plan D," Click Here> | For a Powerpoint presentation of the plan, Click Here>
4B ... that's for me!
*MANY VOICES in support of Alternative 4B | What people think about the I-26 Connector proposal that improves quality of life by connecting Downtown Asheville with West Asheville for pedestrians and bicyclists. Click Here> | For Asheville Design Center, which proves 4B is better as a community builder, Click Here> | For MTX update about 4B alternative as part of a newly revised N.C. DOT plan, Click Here>
Or just humor me
*ECLECTIC Assortment | Laugh in the face of trying times. Click Here>
*TODAY'S Weather | And forecast. Click Here>
*AIR Quality | Forecast for ridges and valleys. Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Maps | Find your way. Click Here>
*GOOGLE Street Map | It's new. It's Big Brother. Click Here>
*LINKS Directory | Good stuff daily. Click Here>
*DOTS Daily | Financial wellness ideas. Click Here>
*UNITED WAY'S 211 | Connect to help. Click Here>
*POLICE Blotter | Asheville's latest arrests. Click Here>
*13 CALENDARS of Events | What's new to do. Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE'S Blog Heaven | Voice your opinion. Click Here>
*VISIT the Archives | News snapshots of 2008. Click Here>
*NATIONAL Do Not Call Registry| File a complaint. Click Here>
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE: View from proposed Baucatcher Overlook Park
*ASHEVILLE'S ONLY proposed mountain park: Click Here>
*CITY ROAD CLOSINGS ONLINE to help drivers plan ahead | Drivers can try to circumvent local construction at ashevillenc.gov or Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS weekly talks every Friday at Bobo Gallery | For those who care about going green. Click Here>
*THE GARAGE AT BILTMORE | Music, beer and fun. | Calendar: More>
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Asheville's "No Ads" Movie Theatre
*FINE FLICKS at the Fine Arts Theatre | For current schedule of Downtown's only independent movie theatre, Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE'S Comedy Club | Standup comedians. Click Here>
*TOP 21 Nightspots | For fun downtown. Click Here>
*PARTY Too Hearty? | Call four cabbies! Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Calendar | Any way you like it. Click Here>
ARTS NEWS
*ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | View the monthly calendar | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | The latest news | Click Here>
ON THE BEAT
*Asheville Citizen-Times is the area's daily newspaper | Click Here>
*MountainXpress is Asheville's powerful weekly | Click Here>
RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE IS THE REGION'S OLDEST AND
MOST WIDELY READ ARTS AND CULTURE MONTHLY
*Rapid River Magazine reports artfully | Click Here>
*The Urban News is Asheville's multicultural gateway | Click Here>
*WNC Magazine tells it beautifully | Click Here>
*WNC Woman touches hearts and minds | Click Here>
AND MORE...
*Asheville Disclaimer parodies the locals | Click Here>
*Asheville Purple Pages' is colorful and gay | Click Here>
*WNC Green Building Council Catalog | To read the 2010 directory online, visit wncgreenbuilding.com or Click Here> | For details about the Council, visit wncgbc.org or Click Here>
ASHBIZ.COM
THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE
*ASHEVILLE #41 Best Place | To live and launch | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Chamber of Commerce | Active | Click Here>
*ADVANTAGEWEST | Attracting business to WNC | Click Here>
*HUB | A catalyst for business collaboration | Click Here>
*MOUNTAIN BizWorks | Helping new businesses succeed | Click Here>
*REAL ESTATE Weekly | Articles and listings | Click Here>
*S.C.O.R.E. | Seasoned expert help | Click Here>
MUSIC AND MORE
*WHO'S DOIN' The Peel? | One of America's best musical venues | Click Here>
*THE GREY EAGLE Live | Pickin', singin', playin' | Click Here>
*MALAPROP'S Books/Cafe | A Downtown favorite | Click Here>
*PEOPLE Watching | Real-time video on Battery Park Ave. | Click Here>
Barley's Click Here> | Jack of the Wood Click Here> | Stella Blue Click Here> | Tressa's Click Here> | Westville Pub Click Here>
SHOPPING ASHEVILLE
Featuring Local Businesses and Organizations
*MONEY-SAVING COUPONS AVAILABLE ON CHAMBER'S WEBSITE, SaveInAsheville.com | To download online coupons provided by local businesses and professionals, Click Here>
*FOR MORE IDEAS at ShoppingAsheville.com, Click Here>
*FOR THE BILTMORE VILLAGE list of shops at BiltmoreVillage.com, Click Here>
HISTORICAL ASHEVILLE
*URBAN Trail | History worth walking | Click Here>
*HISTORIC Downtown | Architecture | Click Here>
*GROVE Arcade | Architectural Tour | Click Here>
*PHOTO Tour | of Downtown Asheville | Click Here>
FOOD NEWS
*RESTAURANTSasheville.com | Only unique restaurants in Asheville listed, such as Rosetta's Kitchen. | To find your favorite place, Click Here>
*AIRasheville.org | The trade group of Asheville's independent restaurants offers an excellent list of area eateries. | To link to scores of websites, Click Here>
Email your Downtown story...
Real local news from the grassroots up
*FOR OVER FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS, DowntownAsheville.com has been reporting the news about our unique urban community | The more we know about each other, the more we are truly connected. Help keep Downtown Asheville weird, wired and wonderful ... from the grassroots up. Many thanks for your emails of news, photos and essays. We will continue to post as many as we can. Keep it real, and email: byron(at) mediabear.com or Click Here>
Photo Courtesy of AdvantageWest
About DowntownAsheville.com
*THIS INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE tells stories of today and yesterday about Downtown Asheville, North Carolina ... a diverse, urban, Southern Appalachian city ... where business bustles ... new ideas germinate ... grassroots' activism grows ... the All-American City and county seat of Buncombe thrives ... where tourists can have it "Anyway You Like It" ... where everyone explores the Blue Ridge Mountains ... along "America's Favorite Highway," the Blue Ridge Parkway ... working and playing to understand why this vibrant mountain city is dubbed "Paris of the South" ... and the heartbeat of Western North Carolina. Click Here> | DowntownAsheville.com is published daily by MediaBear. MediaBear, a division of Wenoca Real Estate, Inc., is an independent Internet publisher and writing service based in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
DISCLAIMER: WWW.DOWNTOWNASHEVILLE.COM is owned by Wenoca Real Estate, Inc., and published by MediaBear, a division of Wenoca Real Estate, Inc. All efforts have been made to present accurate information; however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability as to the accuracy of any statements, information and/or claims, stated or inferred, contained within. It is the responsibility of the reader to consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice and recommendations pertaining to the reader's particular situation. DowntownAsheville.com is an informational resource and should be considered as a source of ideas and opinions. By using this guide, the reader understands that the publisher makes no claims as to the accuracy of any statements and claims within. The publisher does not necessarily agree and/or endorse any and all of those statements or claims made within by individuals, professionals, companies, advertisers, links, and/or other entities. No copying of materials within is allowed without the express written consent of the publisher. Media use of information within requires attribution, which must be given to MediaBear.com or DowntownAsheville.com. Please notify the publisher of any inaccuracies at MediaBear, PO Box 902, Skyland, NC 28776 or byron(at)mediabear.com or Click Here>
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