BREAKING NEWS...

FLAT IRON BUILDING * Photo compliments of Erin Kellum
Downtown Master Plan Meeting Overflows with Passion and Ideas
*May 8 MASTER PLAN MEETING HUGE SUCCESS with 250 Citizens Working with Consultants | While a rally to "Save The Basicila" demonstrated against the McKibbon Hotel Group's proposed nine-story hotel on city-owned land across from the historic Basilica of St. Lawrence, approximately 250 citizens streamed into the Asheville Civic Center to attend the first in a series of Downtown Master Plan meetings. The citizens crammed into an over-flowing meeting room to hear what Master Plan consultants had to say about the future of Downtown Asheville. For complete article, Click Here>

High on the list of important issues voiced by the attending citizens was the desire to preserve Downtown Asheville's historic buildings, entrepreneurism, charm, allure, artfulness, beauty, friendliness, funkiness, affordability, cleanliness, safety, walkability and bikeability (are these words?). How to achieve this wish list was varied and a matter for future discussions.

The consultants, lead by David Dixon and Ben Carlson of the Goody Clancy team, along with Mary Means and Sasha Vrtunski, were pleased with the "passion of citizens." 

Of the 250 citizens in attendance, many were noteworthy business leaders and activists, including Downtown Commission members Kitty Love of Arts2People and Peter Alberice of Camille-Alberice Architects, as well as John Cram of Blue Spiral 1 and Laura Thomas of Asheville PARC. 

Two local political leaders attended. Vice Mayor Jan Davis assured the large audience that their input was valuable and would not be ignored. Council woman Robin Cape expressed her commitment to the process.

This May 8 Downtown Asheville Master Plan Meeting was the first in a series of city-sponsored public meetings. 

DMP PUBLIC MEETING #2: 'The History of Downtown - Understanding the Context'
*DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN MEETING #2 Set for May 15 | The next Downtown Asheville Master Plan public meeting is scheduled for Thurs., May 15, 2008, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Public Works Facility, located at 161 South Charlotte Street (for MapQuest locator, click here) The public is invited and needed to attend this local panel discussion, entitled "The History of Downtown: Understanding the Context." Click Here>

*MEDFORD TRIAL Continues | Well-known local blogger and newsman Cecil Bothwell continues to provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the ongoing high-profile trial of former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford. Bothwell reports: "Medford admitted to enjoying some gambling now and again, but only at legal casinos outside the county." Click Here>

THIS WEEKEND...

'P' STANDS FOR PUPPETS & PIANO
*ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY and Red Herring Puppets May 10 | The 2008 season's finale on Sat., May 10, 8 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium features life-sized puppets and one very real pianist, Konstantin Soukhovetiski. Click Here>

'M' MEANS 'MOM'
*MOTHER'S APPRECIATION DAY at Nature Center May 11 | Take Mom -- in fact, take all "moms, maws, memaws, mamas, and nannas" to WNC Nature Center this Sunday. They'll get in at half the price this Mother's Day (i.e., Sun., May 11, 2008, for those who have been living under a rock -- not that there is anything wrong with that). Click Here>

SOLD. OUT. OF. LUCK.


CHARMAINE NEVILLE to perform at LEAF * Compliments of LEAF
*SOLD-OUT Lake Eden Arts Festival | LEAF is totally sold out. Bummer. So you might start asking friends if they REALLY want their tickets, lodging or camping passes for the May 9-11, 2008, party of peace, poetry, dance, music and munchies at Camp Rockmont, located just east of downtown. Click Here>

INSIGHTS ON THE SIZE of LEAF: LEAF officials said: "We rent the site from Camp Rockmont, and there is a cap of 5,500 people TOTAL on site. This includes volunteers, performers, staff, vendors. Every person we exceed the cap by, we are fined. And exceeding the cap puts LEAF in jeapordy. We've tried to make the 'Limited Tickets' clear. We did not expect to sell out a week in advance; however, we are very thankful and more relaxed." 

 LEAF MUSIC ONLINE: You can still check out the Spring 2008 LEAF performers, and click on their individual websites for music online. Click Here>

FALL FESTIVAL NOTE: Online ticket sales for October will begin June 1, 2008. 

THIS COMING WEEK...
*FREE WRITING WORKSHOP on May 12 | At Malaprop's. Click Here>

PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE

Self-portrait of Zen Sutherland taken during recent DITLOA photography event.
*DAY IN THE LIFE OF ASHEVILLE 2008 Judging Just Completed | Now it's up to the finalists to get in their prints to the judges by May 13. All the photos were taken on April 18 & 19, 2008. Money-saving note: IRIS on Merrimon might still be honoring its 10% discount, if you mention a Day in the Life of Asheville. Click Here>

MEDFORD TRIAL MIGHT CONCLUDE THIS WEEK
*MEDFORD TRIAL Down to One Alternative Juror | Now only one alternative juror remains in the high-profile trial of former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford, reports blogger and newsman Cecil Bothwell. Bothwell continues to provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the ongoing trial that is estimated to end on or about May 15, 2008. Click Here>


*ANGRY FOLK SONG About Bobby Medford | Now on YouTube by NotSorryNC, who sings, "I hope Bobby likes prison food ...." Click Here>


*EDGY SIDE of Asheville Politics Revisited | Scrutiny Hooligans provides an archived reminder that Asheville still can pedal on the edgy, nonpartisan, political side, as shown in former City Council candidate Lindsey Simerly's campaign video. Her straight-(so-to-speak)-talk expresses an alternative view to those who want a high-rise, "shrine to wealth," gentrified Downtown. Click Here>


Photo compliments of Zen Sutherland
*DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN Meeting May 15 | Second in an important series of meetings to educate the public and request citizen input concerning the future of Downtown Asheville. All are invited. Click Here>

Final Week of Biltmore Flower Festival

Photo courtesy of Zen Sutherland
*FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS Through May 18 | For an awesome azalea experience, visit the Biltmore Estate. Click Here>


Compliments of SignMonster.com
*CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS for Handicapped Parking Enforcement | City program to train volunteers. Click Here>

*CITY SUMMER JOBS Posted | Teen leaders and lifeguards needed. Click Here>

PERSONAL NOTES...
*A NOTE From Laurey | Laurey Masterton of Laurey's Catering paints pictures with words in "North to South, Birds to Bees." Click Here>


DAHLIA * Compliments of Kremp.com
*WEAR SUNSCREEN Advice on Life | This YouTube All-Star favorite, which is posted along with others on FreakinAsheville.com, has had millions of views since it was first released, and for good reason with its observations: "Do one thing every day that scares you ... Sing ... Floss ... Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements. Stretch ... Dance ... Do not read beauty magazines; they will only make you feel ugly ... Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life." This one's for you, Dad, with love and tips for the future, on your 92nd Birthday. Click Here>
 
FEATURED NEWS...

*VIDEO RELEASED WITH MOTHER OF MURDERED SON Includes Announcement of "Justice Advocates for You" (JAY) | Carol Yerkes, mother of Jay Yerkes who was murdered in Asheville, announced the formation of a new, local, victim advocacy group. She organized JAY because of her outrage with a plea bargain made by Buncombe District Attorney Ron Moore that resulted in her son's murderer receiving only 18 months in jail. For MountainXpress's cover story about the trial, Click Here. For Richard Bernier's video of Carol Yerkes's press conference, Click Here>


*CELTIC BAND BUILLE Plays Diana Wortham May 22 | 2008 Mainstage Series concludes Click Here>


*RINGLING BROS. Barnum & Bailey Circus May 28 to June 1 | The all-new "Boom A Ring" Gold Tour of animals, acrobats and more at the Civic Center. Special opening night (Fri. only) tickets as low as $11. Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE'S Future? | Neighborhood coalition sees local residents as key to shaping the city's future. Click Here> 


Photo by Wikipedia Commons
HATCHET JOB:
COUNTDOWN TO A CUTTING
Asheville's 100-year-old magnolia tree faces the hatchet ...
"Inside the Park" condominiums raises community ire ...
City Council to decide fate of people's park ...

*PROPOSED "PARKSIDE" CONDO PROJECT includes Pack Square Park Land | The mighty magnolia in Asheville's central park has stood for 100 years. In a few weeks, Stewart Coleman, one of Asheville's most powerful citizens, and his hatchet men may have the power to chop it down. It's now up to Asheville City Council to sort out the mess created by the Buncombe County Commissioners.

Here's the latest lowdown, public poop, and bold blogs concerning the controversial Coleman/Swag Holdings/Black Dog Realty proposal to take down the tree and build a high-rise condo, known as Parkside Condominiums. There's work to be done. Chop, chop. Click Here>

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406 Oaktree Lane in Buncombe County * MLS 397232 * Click Here
*REAL ESTATE Listings | Featured homes. Condos. Vacation rentals. B&Bs. Hotels/Motels. For sale. For rent. Click Here>

*UNCA Master Calendar | Events for students and the public. Click Here>

*MALAPROP'S Events | One of Downtown's favorite places. Click Here>

*CIVIC CENTER Schedule of Events | In the heart of Downtown Asheville, big events for big (and sometimes wierd) fun. Click Here>


*FINE FLICKS at the Fine Arts | Popcorn and beer, too. Click Here>

*DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Schedule of Events | Some of Downtown Asheville's best performances await you, including Buille Irish music (May 22). Click Here>

*TOURIST CALENDAR of Festivals and Events | Something for everyone. Click Here>

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*KEOWEE Chamber Music | 8th Annual Festival begins June 3. Click Here>

*48 HOUR FILM PROJECT Comes to Asheville June 20 | Participate and save by registering early. Click Here>

*WRITERS' Workshops | At Flood Gallery in Asheville's River District. Click Here>

*ART WALKS in Downtown Asheville - June 6, Aug. 1, Oct. 3 | Rain or shine, on select Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m., the art galleries of Downtown Asheville invite you to come early and stay late. Click Here>

*HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Architectural Tour Click Here>

*GROVE ARCADE Architectural Tour | Simply spectacular. Click Here>

LOCAL INFO...
*Weather: Now More>
*Driving Conditions & Traffic Updates: Important More>
*BeamPost Video Cameras: Live More>
*Sexual Offender Registry: Necessary More>
*Buncombe County Courthouse: Trials More>
*City of Asheville: Official More>
*Buncombe County: Government More>
*Events: Daily More>
*13 Calendars of Events: Worthy More>
*List of Local Media: Useful More>
*Real Estate Listings: WNC More>

QUICK QUIZ...
*What's URTV celebrating? Its 2nd year. Click Here>
*What's PURPLE about the Arts Council? Its ball. Click Here>
*What's RAPID about this River? The arts. Click Here>
*What's NATIONAL? Our media list. Click Here>
*What's THE North American Union? For the questioning. Click Here>

LOCAL NEWS FROM THE GRASSROOTS UP...
Your comments and press releases are always welcomed. Tell your associates, friends and family about this funky, little, local, independent website. We've been reporting our unique community's news online for nearly four consecutive years. So when you get a wild hair of openess and energy, email your news to us. 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. Click Here>

ABOUT US...
*DowntownAsheville.com is published by MediaBear, an independent Internet publisher and writing service based in Buncombe County. Click Here>

MediaBear, PO Box 1040, Skyland, NC 28776 * (828) 768-5600
Copyright 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 All Rights Reserved

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"Save the Basilica" Rally | The public is invited to rally against the McKibbon Hotel Group's proposal for a high-rise across the street from the historic Basilica. Who: Asheville PARC. What: Public rally. When: Thurs., May 8, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Where: In front of the Asheville Civic Center on Haywood Street. Why: PARC said, "The McKibbon Hotel Group wants to build a nine-story hotel on city-owned land across from the beautiful Basilica of St. Lawrence. This building would stand right in the face of the Church, dwarfing our national treasure. The Basilica is asking concerned residents to join them for a 'Save The Basilica' rally." The rally coincides with the City of Asheville's public meeting about the Downtown Asheville Master Plan to be held 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. inside the Civic Center. Click Here>

MEDFORD'S MONEY MAP
*DAY FIVE of Medford Trial | Well-known local blogger and newsman Cecil Bothwell continues to provide gavel-to-gavel coverage of the ongoing high-profile trial of former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford. Bothwell reports: "The money map around Medford grew denser." Click Here>

LEAF TICKETS SOLD OUT

CHARMAINE NEVILLE to perform at LEAF * Compliments of LEAF
*SOLD-OUT Lake Eden Arts Festival | LEAF is totally sold out. Bummer. So you might start asking friends if they REALLY want their tickets, lodging or camping passes for the May 9-11, 2008, party of peace, poetry, dance, music and munchies at Camp Rockmont, located just east of downtown. Click Here>

INSIGHTS ON THE SIZE of LEAF: LEAF officials said: "We rent the site from Camp Rockmont, and there is a cap of 5,500 people TOTAL on site. This includes volunteers, performers, staff, vendors. Every person we exceed the cap by, we are fined. And exceeding the cap puts LEAF in jeapordy. We've tried to make the 'Limited Tickets' clear. We did not expect to sell out a week in advance; however, we are very thankful and more relaxed." 

 LEAF MUSIC ONLINE: You can still check out the Spring 2008 LEAF performers, and click on their individual websites for music online. Click Here>

FALL FESTIVAL NOTE: Online ticket sales for October will begin June 1, 2008. 

QUICK LOOK...
*CITY OF ASHEVILLE News | Budget Cover Art Contest Announced with May 31 entry deadline; Arson Awareness Week May 4 - 10; $400,000 EPA brownfields grant received; water line replacement continues. More city news: Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit. Click Here>

*LOCAL Maps | Downtown, Asheville Area and WNC.

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