DowntownAsheville.com: Involved
'Community News from the Grassroots Up' TM
PUBLISHED BY MEDIABEAR.COM
HOW TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
STUDENTS VOLUNTEER: Fifty 8th-grade students of Asheville Middle School clean up with RiverLink * Photo of April 3, 2009, cleanup: RiverLink
*RIVERLINK ACTIVE on Earth Day, April 22 | How to get 'RiverLinked' on Earth Day: 10 a.m. to noon with rain-barrel building workshop; Noon to 4 p.m. with river cleanup; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m free watershed education programs | For details about RiverLink's Earth Day opportunities for the public, visit riverlink.org or Click Here>
*EARTH DAY CONCERT in Asheville | On Weds., April 22, 2009, Earth Day Asheville, a concert event, will celebrate Earth Day at the Orange Peel in cooperation with Buncombe County's Asheville Greenworks (formerly known as Quality Forward). For details, visit earthdayasheville.org or Click Here>
*TAKE A HIKE in the Asheville area on Earth Day -- and every day | Download an excellent walking guide to Asheville and Buncombe County: Click Here>
WINDSPIRE: Offered by Blue Sun Renewable * Image: Mariah Power
*BLUE SUN RENEWABLE ENERGY is scheduled to speak about wind energy on April 24 | This information will be provided at Asheville Green Drinks, held at Bobo Gallery in Downtown Asheville on Fri., April 24, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. | For details at ashevillegreendrinks.com, Click Here> | For directions to Bobo, visit bobogallery.com or Click Here>
*SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009, EARTH DAY CELEBRATION ON THE COMMONS held on the grounds of All-Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village | Free public celebration from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fun for the kids, too. | For details, Click Here>
A BARREL OF LAUGHS ... AND A LITTLE WORK, TOO: RiverLink's ongoing Rain Barrel Construction Workshops -- the next one is on Earth Day from 10 a.m. to noon and includes creatively decorating the barrels -- will teach the public how to build their own rain barrels to take home or to work. Cost: Only $60; participants construct and take home a 55-gallon recycled plastic barrel fit with spigot fixtures and screen to filter out leaves. * Image: RiverLink
*BUILD A RAIN BARREL and get creative, too | On Earth Day, April 22, 2009, RiverLink is looking for volunteers with creative and artistic imaginations to paint and otherwise decorate rain barrels. Writes RiverLink: "We all know that conserving water and harvesting the rain from your roof are good for the environment, but with your help, we can make water catchment beautiful too! Rain barrels are a great way to capture and reuse rainwater. We will use your uniquely decorated rain barrel as a way to promote water conservation and water quality issues in our region." | For details and directions to the Asheville Outdoor Center, where the workshop will be conducted, Click Here> | For details about the rain barrel construcion workshop on Earth Day, Click Here>
*VISIT A ZOO, NATURE CENTER OR AQUARIUM to celebrate everything wild on Earth Day -- or any other day of the year | For North Carolina listings, Click Here> | For South Carolina listings, Click Here> | For Tennessee listings, Click Here> | For Georgia listings, Click Here>
DEVELOPING STORIES
GRIST.COM WRITES: "SCREW EARTH DAY!!!! You think this is a worldwide love fest? You think this is a bit of kumbaya for your karma? You think you can make up for a lifetime of excess in one day? This isn't about what you do on April 22; this is about what you do every single day. Grist can show you the light and guess what -- it's green."
Grist.com's 'Screw Earth Day' Campaign Rankles Some Environmentalists
*ARE YOU CYNICAL about Earth Day Celebrations? | Grist.com keeps churning its grist mill of its "Screw Earth Day" campaign and controversy it created with its recent press release that tells why it wants to shake-up the 39-year-old Earth Day event. | For Grist.org's April 20, 2009, news release, Click Here>
Mumpower points icy finger at Vincenzo's, others
*CITY COUNCILMEMBER MUMPOWER WRITES LETTER TO I.C.E., and lists eight Asheville area restaurants and motels with possible illegal immigrants | Carl Mumpower's April 16, 2009, letter to Charlotte-based agent Delbert Richburg of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) states: "I have no idea as to the validity of these claims." Nonetheless, Mumpower publicly listed eight area restaurants by name, one of which includes Vincenzo's, but provided no details. | For the unabridged "From the Desk of Carl Mumpower" 4-16-09 letter to I.C.E., Click Here>
DWIGHT BUTNER: Vincenzo's owner * File photo: MediaBear
Vincenzo's Butner responds to Mumpower's accusations about illegal workers
Butner 'Leaning Against' Running for City Council
*VINCENZO'S DWIGHT BUTNER: 'If I wrong, I'll take care of it. If I'm not, I'll expect an apology from Carl [Mumpower]' | In an exclusive telephone interview on Thurs. afternoon, April 16, 2009, Dwight Butner, long-time Asheville resident and respected restauranteur, addressed Mumpower's serious accusations about illegal aliens working at Butner's long-time established restaurant, located near city hall. Said Butner to DowntownAsheville.com: "I spoke with Carl today and he refused to tell me who gave him this information." | Butner said: "I consider Carl to be a friend. I've known him for years." He added: "I thought better of Carl. ... I'm disappointed." | For more of the exclusive interview with Dwight Butner, Click Here>
TOP STORIES
THE MUSICAL MAGIC OF 'URINETOWN': UNCA student perform in April
* Photo: UNCA Drama Dept.
'Urinetown' musical at UNCA begins April 22
*THEATRE UNCA TO STAGE TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL COMEDY 'URINETOWN' at Carol Belk Theatre on UNCA campus April 22 - 26, 2009 | Curtain is 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. All shows are open to the public. "Urinetown," the Broadway hit by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, provides a humorous and cynical view of society, sustainability, capitalism and government. | For details, Click Here>
*NEW ANNUAL 2009 WNC GREENBUILDING COUNCIL CATALOG hits the streets in print | To read the new 2009 directory online (and save some trees), visit wncgreenbuilding.com or Click Here> | For past issues online, Click Here> | For details about the Council, visit wncgbc.org or Click Here>
ACCESS ASHEVILLE
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>
*TODAY'S Weather | And forecast. Click Here>
*AIR Quality | Particle pollution. 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>
*SUNDAY Reader | Those who confess. Click Here>
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE: View from proposed Baucatcher Overlook Park
*ASHEVILLE'S ONLY proposed mountain park: Click Here>
City road closings now online
*ENHANCED CITY WEBSITE KEEPS RESIDENTS INFORMED OF PLANNED ROAD WORK, and to help drivers plan ahead | The city recently added a useful section to help drivers plan ahead at its ashevillenc.gov website or Click Here>
FOLLOW-UP
Asheville Tribune Gets It Wrong (Again)? Claims 2,000 to 4,000 Attendees at April 15, 2009, Tea Bag Party Protest in Asheville
If the truth be told? Some say: No way, no how, were there "thousands" of tea-baggers and curiosity-seekers at the anti-stimulus package gathering / tax protest / Obamanomics hate-fest (take your pick) in Downtown Asheville on April 15. A truthful number: approximately 1,000 attendees, give or take a few hundred. Or, others postulate, maybe the Tribune keeps learning how to recreate history just like its oracle, George W. Bush, who is brazenly continuing onward and downward with his reality-bending, under(re)construction, Bush (league) library in the land of (let's all mess with) Don't Mess with (because we can secede if we want to) Texas. | Even Asheville Tea Party organizer Erika Franzi a.k.a. Jane Q Republican puts the estimate between 1,060 and 1,800 attendees, although she believes it's closer to 1,800. Nontheless, Franzi praises the Tribune as the only local media outlet that reported the news of her tax protest party accurately. She's entitled to her opinion, as is Bill Fishburne of the Asheville Tribune (and author of the "2,000 to 4,000" who attended the party article) entitled to his -- as is every Ashevillian and American entitled to theirs. VIVA USA ... WITH TEXAS (that's French for God Loves Us All Including Texas, or something close to that).
Protest billboard * Photo on blog of Michele Malkin
Who paid for this billboard by and for the 'grassroots' AshevilleTeaParty.com?
*NOBODY LIKES TO PAY TAXES, and protesters brought their signs and exercised their right to express themselves in Downtown Asheville and across the nation on April 15, 2009 | Erika Conrad Franzi, who provided protesters with talking points to try out on the media, was one of the few to write about the protest and appears to have organized the Asheville protest. For details about the Tea Party in Asheville, Click Here>
Jenny Bowen's Photos of the Tax Protest in Asheville
Asheville blogger Jenny Bowen snapped a few good ones in front of the Buncombe County Courthouse and Asheville City Hall: Click Here>
ERIKA CONRAD FRANZI A.K.A JANE Q REPUBLICAN: Leader of the Asheville tea-bagger charge * Photo: Franzi's press release
Franzi organizing another Asheville tea-bagger protest: This time on Independence Day
Claiming upwards of 1,800 protesters and curiosity-seekers at the April 15, 2009, protest in Asheville, Asheville Tea Party organizer Erika Franzi is planning to turn July 4 into a day not of celebration, rather a day of protest, for those disgruntled with Obamanomics. | For details, visit ashevilleteaparty.com or Click Here> | For a Franzi rant against the local media for its failure to cover the news as well as the Asheville Tribune, Click Here>
Erika Conrad Franzi = Jane Q Republican
*ERIKA FRANZI IS ALSO JANE Q REPUBLICAN, as confirmed by local media DowntownAsheville.com | The domain name registration of AshevilleTeaParty.com is in the name of Erika Franzi of Weaverville, NC, and she lists her email with Godaddy.com as janeqrepublican@gmail.com. So as you read AshevilleTeaParty.com, now you know who the real author of so many of its articles: it is not Jane Q Republican with Erika Franzi, rather it's Erika Franzi meets Erika Franzi. The curtain is lifted. The count is not 1 + 1 = 2; the truthful count, in this case, is 1 writer + 1 writer = 1 same writer (Erika Franzi). DowntownAsheville.com thought you'd like to know the truth.
Tuesday's Appalachian Trail presentation at Jack of the Wood well attended, volunteers wanted
*MOUNTAIN SPORTS FESTIVAL AND APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY teamed up to celebrate Appalachian Trail | Lovers of the outdoors listened to “Celebrating the A.T. in 10 Voices” on April 14, 2009, at Jack of the Wood in Downtown Asheville. A Jack-of-the-Wood bartender told DowntownAsheville.com that half of those in the bar came to enjoy the event that included “through hikers” documenting their journey on the Appalachian Trail with stories and pictures. | The evening was devoted to remind people about the Mountain Sports Festival, to be held May 29-31. | Appalachian Trail Conservancy representative Andrew Downs answered questions after the presentation. He explained the finer points of how volunteers are trained to maintain the AT. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is dedicated to the preservation and management of the trail. | For details about the Conservancy and the need for trail menders, Click Here> | For upcoming Mountain Sports Festival events schedule -- and a sign up for needed volunteers, Click Here> | For kudos to Jack of the Wood for hosting the event on its popular "cheap beer night" (every Tues.), Click Here>
Census workers knocking on doors in Buncombe (despite what BuncombeCounty.org report says)
*WONDERING WHAT THOSE FOLKS armed with hand-held computers are doing in your neighborhood? | They are US Census workers. They began their local work in the field on April 6, 2009. They are cross-checking address information and entering the data into hand-held computers. Each census bureau worker, officially known as a "Census Enumerator," should be identified by a name badge and windshield tag. DowntownAsheville.com has learned from an "enumerator" firsthand that they (1) WILL be knocking on doors to verify the street number and (2) WILL question whether there is a separate living quarter within the building; i.e., one that has a separate entrance to the outside and does NOT have access to the other part of the home/building. | SPECIAL NOTE: BuncombeCounty.org continues to incorrectly report that the census workers will not be knocking on doors. | For complete story, Click Here>
CURRENT NEWS
NOT postponing joy: Masterton digging into the shrimp on Dauphin Island, Alabama * laureybikes.blogspot.com
Ovarian awareness campaign continues
*LAUREY MASTERTON: Pedaling for life across America, now tastes Alabama | For months DowntownAsheville.com has been posting Laurey Masterton's moving stories as she trained and now pedals across America to bring awareness for the need for early detection of ovarian cancer. | For a HammondStar.com report of the ongoing 58-day ride to date, Click Here> | 'I'LL BE HOME SOON': For Masterton's most recent "A Note from Laurey," Click Here> | For Laurey's previous note, Click Here> | Laurey's wonderfully written pieces have given us all a window into her training for this incredible West Coast-to-East Coast bicycle ride, and her very personal connection of why she is doing it. | For "Glad to Be Alive" (Sept. 6, 2008), Click Here> | For "Next Time" (Oct. 4, 2008), Click Here> | For "Ride, Baby Ride," previously posted on Oct. 11, 2008, by DowntownAsheville.com, Click Here> | For another pertinent note by Laurey, "Out in Front" (Nov. 22, 2008), Click Here> | For a map of Laurey's great adventure across America -- stop by stop -- visit her Feb. 25, 2009, blog entry: Click Here>
$1.5 million gift to fund UNCA scholarships, 'academic needs'
*ON MAR. 20, 2009, ONE OF THE LARGEST GIFTS EVER MADE TO UNCA will help current and future students at UNC Asheville. | Explained UNCA spokesperson Merianne Epstein: "At the anonymous donor's request, $1 million will go toward scholarships and $500,000 toward operating support." | For details, Click Here>
RICHMOND INN FIRE * Image: Bill in Ash Vegas
Who started 'huge fire' at historic Richmond Hill Inn? Investigation underway
*FIRE INTENTIONAL: On Mar. 20, 2009, Asheville Fire & Dept. confirmed that the devastating Richmond Hill Inn structure fire of March 21 was intentionally set. | A fire dept. spokesperson said that there is no information at this time about the identity or motivation of the arsonist(s) who destroyed one of Asheville's most beloved structures. | Asheville Fire and Rescue chief Greg Grayson said in a written statement: “Intentionally set fires cannot be tolerated in our community and we will be diligently working with District Attorney Ron Moore’s Office with all of our resources to determine who set this fire and bring appropriate criminal charges against the person or persons that are responsible.” | Anyone with additional information related to this fire should immediately contact Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050. | Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the inn has been in foreclosure and posted reader comments on its TOPIX: Click Here> | Chilling photos of the fire the night of Mar. 19, 2009, are now posted on Flickr: Click Here> | Blow-by-blow reports of the fire, while it was in progress, are posted at GreenvilleOnline.com: Click Here>
A-B Tech searches for new president
*ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S BETTY YOUNG resigns and leaves for Houston college, reports MountainXpress. A search is underway for a new president. Click Here> | Dr. Young lasted less than two years: Click Here> | Young had followed K. Ray Bailey, who now serves as a Buncombe County commissioner: Click Here> | For Young's happier times at A-B Tech, Click Here> | MTX's previous report of the recent turmoil: Click Here>
COMMENTARY
UNSCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: Timely parody
Pat Richards' The Dumbing Down of America:
Sometimes it's hard to laugh
*WRITES COLUMNIST PAT RICHARDS: While this magazine cover parody of "Scientific American" (retitled "UnScientific American") was well done -- and while I did find it funny when taken in a vacuum all by itself -- I would have been more amused if the Wall Street Journal had not just reported that a recent survey showed 6 out of 10 Americans actually do question the validity of evolutionary science (or just flat out don't believe in evolution at all). | For Pat Richards' complete commentary, Click Here>
LOCAL WISDOM
"Your age is only the AVERAGE age of your body parts. The problem is, the weakest link gets you -- like my knees."
-Nelson Sartoris, Asheville
ARTS NEWS
*ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here>
CAMPAIGN NEWS
Robin Cape Will Run for Council, Too
*THE POLITICAL PLAY FOR CITY COUNCIL continues to add to its well-known cast with Robin Cape throwing her hat in the ring ... again | Robin Cape recently announced in her e-newsletter that she will seek another term on the Asheville City Council. Although her website has not yet reflected this latest political news, her site explains what she has been doing lately. | Visit robinforasheville.com or Click Here>
CARL MUMPOWER: "This council, in conjunction with city and police
administration, is continuing to dramatically fail in their commitment to
eliminate open air drug markets in Asheville's public housing and other
vulnerable neighborhoods."
Mumpower Will Run for Another Term
*NOT ONE TO BACK DOWN FROM PRINCIPLE, Carl Mumpower announced he will run for another term on the Asheville City Council | "The Mayor and council's votes place them to the far left in their spending habits, social policies, and political agendas," wrote Mumpower in a Mar. 26, 2009, press release. "The lack of remote balance on the council, and a belief that diversity of thought really is important, leave me no wiggle room." | For more details about why Carl Mumpower feels his conservative voice is needed more than ever on city council, Click Here>
GORDON SMITH: Opening the door to progressive ideas * gordonforasheville.com
Scrutiny Hooligans' Smith runs for City Council, 100+ attend kick-off party
*THE KICK-OFF PARTY AT ASHEVILLE BREWING CO. ON COXE AVE., on Mar. 19, 2009, was big and lively, especially for a chilly, windy night in Asheville. Gordon Smith, founder of ScrutinyHooligans.us, Asheville's most popular political blog, told DowntownAsheville.com that he was pleased with the turn-out and confirmed that approximately 110 people attended for the evening event that ran for approximately three hours (7 to 10 p.m.). Smith, a child and family therapist, has become well known in the Asheville area as a thoughtful, articulate activist with a pragmatic, progressive, grassroots bent. | For more details about his campaign, visit gordonforasheville.com or Click Here> | To visit ScrutinyHooligans.us, Click Here> | To view Jennifer Saylor's photos of the kick-off party, Click Here>
Cecil Bothwell Seeks Council Slot
*WELL-KNOWN LOCAL AUTHOR/REMODELER CECIL BOTHWELL is running for Asheville City Council | For Bothwell's detailed position statements, visit cecilbothwell.wordpress.com or Click Here>
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>
*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>
ON THE BEAT
RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE IS THE REGION'S OLDEST AND
MOST WIDELY READ ARTS AND CULTURE MONTHLY
*CURRENT ISSUE of Rapid River | Click Here>
*CURRENT ISSUE of MountainXpress | Click Here>
*CURRENT ISSUE of WNC Woman | Click Here>
*OUT IN ASHEVILLE Launches Daily Gay News Online | Click Here>
FIND YOUR WAY
Bothwell releases newest 'Finding Asheville'
*CECIL BOTHWELL RELEASES 2009 GUIDE: 'Finding Your Way in Asheville' | Local author/journalist Cecil Bothwell has just released the second edition of his popular Asheville area guide book, entitled "Finding Your Way in Asheville." Bothwell told DowntownAsheville.com that given the rapid changes in the area he would now update his book each and every year, "every January 1st." For ordering information, visit Malaprops on Haywood Street or buy online at braveulysses.com or Click Here>
ASHBIZ.COM
THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE
Free online SBA seminars
*ASHEVILLE S.C.O.R.E. PRESENTS business seminars for a fee as well as online Small Business Administration seminars for free| For details, Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE #41 Best Place | To live and launch | Click Here>
*ADVANTAGEWEST | Attracting business to WNC | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Chamber of Commerce | Active | 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> | Catawba Vale 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
*NEW, MONEY-SAVING COUPONS AVAILABLE ON CHAMBER'S NEW WEBSITE, SaveInAsheville.com | To download online coupons provided by local businesses and professionals, Click Here>
FOR MORE IDEAS AT SHOPPINGASHEVILLE.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>
REAL LOCAL NEWS FROM THE GRASSROOTS UP...
*FOR NEARLY FOUR 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
DowntownAsheville.com
*YOUR Independent News 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 ... "Anyway You Like It" ... located in the Blue Ridge Mountains ... along "America's Favorite Highway," the Blue Ridge Parkway ... a vibrant city dubbed "Paris of the South" ... the heartbeat of Western North Carolina. Click Here>
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