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Late-May 2008 MEDIABEAR PROUDLY PRESENTS
DowntownAsheville.com: Connected "Community News from the Grassroots Up" TM  Photo Courtesy of AdvantageWest *WELCOME to 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> *TODAY'S Weather | Highs in the mid-70s with scattered showers. Click Here>  TONGUE-IN-CHEEK Compliments of AllFordMustangs.com *ASHETONGUE-IN-CHEEK Questions of the Week | *SUN, 5-18-08: Are politicians failing our lobbyists? Onion News Network has answers: Click Here> *MON, 5-19-08: How well do the Leningrad Cowboys and Red Army Choir know Alabama? Musically, sweeter than you think: Click Here> *TUES, 5-20-08: What's a definition of "tough love?" Michael of Asheville offers this one-liner: Click Here>  *RESTAURANTSAsheville.com | Only unique restaurants in Asheville listed, such as Rosetta's Kitchen. To find your favorite, Click Here>
*LIVE Downtown Video | On Battery Park Ave. Click Here> *FEATURED Street| Lexington Avenue Click Here> *ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit. Click Here> *LOCAL Maps | Downtown, Asheville Area and WNC. Click Here> *13 CALENDARS of Events | Always something new to do. Click Here> *CITY OF ASHEVILLE News | Memorial Day ceremony planned for May 26; Budget Cover Art Contest Announced with May 31 entry deadline; $400,000 EPA brownfields grant received; water line replacement continues. More city news: Click Here> BREAKING NEWS...
 2008 Griffin Winners Accept Awards *PRESERVATION SOCIETY Presents Griffin Awards | Last night, Tues., May 20, 2008, The Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County presented its annual Griffin awards for local preservation efforts. Noteworthy was a special "stewardship" award presented for outstanding design work on an alternative I-26/I-40 connector that would conserve the fabric of Downtown Asheville, as well as use considerably less acreage, far less asphalt, halve the number of bridges needed, and convert the Patton Avenue bridge for local use only. The lovely gathering and presentation at The Princess Anne Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was attended by approximately 75 people, including Buncombe building ordinance official Jim Coman, Public Interest Projects' Harry Weiss, WCQS founding member Jim Cavener, and Albert Realty's Clayton Ludeman, whose downtown condo will be on the Asheville Art Museum's Urban Loft & Art Tour on May 29, 2008. Click Here>  2008 Firefighter of the Year *CAPT. MIKE McCOY Named Asheville Firefighter of the Year 2008 | Optimist Club of Asheville recognizes McCoy. Click Here> Obama Wins Majority of Pledged Delegates *KENTUCKY GOES CLINTON, OREGON GOES OBAMA | Click Here> Kennedy with Brain Cancer *SEN. TED KENNEDY Diagnosed with Malignant Brain Tumor | For news and reactions, Click Here. For Boston Globe, Click Here. For Huffington Post, Click Here. For MSNBC, Click Here> ParkSide Developers Take to the Radio and Internet to Deflect Criticism *PUBLIC RELATIONS BLITZ by ParkSide Developers Continues | Stewart Coleman and Tom Israel explained their ParkSide condominium proposal on Matt Mittan's show, which aired on WWNC radio 570 AM from 4 to 5 p.m. on Mon., May 19, 2008. A call-in questioner said he was "incredulous" that Pack Square's visual corridor was not kept in tact. The developers refuted the charge. An equal number of callers objected to and supported the project. Donna Clark of the Pack Square Conservancy telephoned in to the show to say that the proposed building interferes with the park's viewshed. For more, Click Here>  Impressive, New Mumpower-for-Congress Website *ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCILMAN CARL MUMPOWER Launches New Website at Mumpower08.com | He has taken off his glasses, thrown away his title of Doctor, and created a 5-Point Promise to give Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler a run for his money for the 11th Congressional District of Western North Carolina. Who knew Asheville's top Republican could look so, well, Clintonian? To see the new Mumpower, Click Here>  M*A*S*H Actor Comes to Malaprop's May 22 *MALAPROP'S PRESENTS Mike Farrell | Mike will present his memoir, Just Call Me Mike, at Malaprop's on Thurs., May 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. Click Here> I-26 Repair Zone *I-26 NIGHTTIME CONSTRUCTION to Begin in May | From Long Shoals Road exit in south Buncombe to Hendersonville's Hwy. 64, look for delays in the evenings as repair of the bumpy road begins. Click Here>  New Downtown Arts Program for the People *Arts2People to Organize Summertime Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program | A new arts program for downtown residents, workers and visitors has just been announced and partially funded, Arts2People executive director Kitty Love told DowntownAsheville.com. Donations are needed to help fund the complete program that will run from June through September and will be held in Pritchard Park during lunchtime and on select weekends. "It's a pilot program," said Love. "We need people to donate." To contribute or learn more about the upcoming Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program, Click Here> Coleman Goes Public *DEVELOPER STEWART COLEMAN Defends ParkSide Condo Project | In the current issue (May 15 - 21, 2008) of The Asheville Tribune, senior editor Bill Fishburne files his report about the controversial ParkSide condo project. 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>  FLAT IRON BUILDING * Photo compliments of Erin Kellum *CITIZENS GET HISTORY LESSON - and Little More - at Controlled Downtown Master Plan Public Meeting Approximately 180 people who attended the second Downtown Master Plan Public Meeting held on May 15 sat for an informed history lesson given by three panel members, complete with slides and old photos, but were allowed little time by Downtown Master Plan project manager Sasha Vrtunski for questions and response by the panel members -- and zero time for public comments. Only one city council member attended: Robin Cape. For complete article, Click Here> ONLINE PUBLIC SURVEY AVAILABLE *VOICE YOUR OPINION: Take the Online Survey | Robin Cape, the only city council member to attend both public meetings concerning the Asheville Downtown Master Plan Survey, was also the only city politician to send out an email to the public requesting their attendance at the May 15 meeting. Cape encourages everyone to participate in the meetings and the online downtown master plan survey. To take the quick survey. Click Here> 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> DILOA Volunteers Needed for Posting Photos at Library
"Day in the Life of Asheville" (DILOA) Photo Contest Update: Posting of photos at downtown library will begin and reception plans are being made. Volunteers needed to wash windows and post winning photos, along with volunteer musicians needed to play at upcoming reception. Also, DILOA gives special thanks to IRIS on Merrimon and Asheville library staffers. The public is invited to add to what should be a fruitful and fun experience. Click Here> Is Fernandez the Acting Editor at Citizen-Times? The unofficial GannettBlog says that Susan Ihne has been temporarily replaced by Phil Fernandez. Click Here> THIS WEEK...
 *MEET AND GREET Local Filmmakers May 22 for Asheville 48 Hour Film Project | Meet local filmmakers at a Meet 'N Greet, Thurs., May 22, 2008, 6 p.m. at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Ave., to kick off this year's contest, which runs June 20 - 22 with screenings held the following week. NOTE: Time is running out for filmmakers to take advantage of the early-bird registration rate. To sign up, Click Here>  *CELTIC BAND BUILLE Plays Diana Wortham May 22 | 2008 Mainstage Series concludes Click Here> *FREE Asheville Firefighter Combat Challenge May 23 & 24 | At the Asheville Mall Click Here> COMING UP... *FORMER BUNCOMBE SHERIFF Awaits Sentencing after Guilty Verdict | Local blogger and newsman Cecil Bothwell's up-to-the-minute, gavel-to-gavel coverage continues: "After two hours of deliberation the jury found Bobby Lee Medford and Guy Kenneth Penland guilty on all ten counts with which they were charged." For more news about fines and sentencing, 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> *MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS' Women's Business Conference to be Held May 29, 2008 | At A-B Tech, Enka campus. Click Here> FEATURED NEWS... *CITY SUMMER JOBS Posted | Teen leaders and lifeguards needed. Click Here> *NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME-STOPPERS Organize in Asheville | South French Broad area residents work to battle against crime, reports AOL News. Click Here> *CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS for Handicapped Parking Enforcement | City program to train volunteers. Click Here> *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. For MountainXpress's cover story about the trial, Click Here. For Richard Bernier's video of Carol Yerkes's press conference, Click Here> THE MEDFORD TRIAL
PREVIOUS MEDFORD TRIAL REPORTS... For Cecil Bothwell's Blog, Click Here>. For MountainXpress' recent cover story and online updates, Click Here>. WLOS-TV 13, which calls it "possibly the biggest corruption trial in Buncombe County history," provides video: Click Here>. It's history in the making and a sad chapter for Buncombe.  *ANGRY FOLK SONG About Bobby Medford | Now on YouTube by NotSorryNC, who sings, "I hope Bobby likes prison food ...." Click Here> *ASHEVILLE DISCLAIMER'S Parody Feature | "Introductory remarks that did not make it to the final draft of the Medford defense team's opening statement to the jury: 'I have reasonable doubt that you're not 12 paid actors pretending to be a jury." For more statements that the Disclaimer claims didn't make it at the trial, 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> *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>  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> *ASHEVILLE DAILY PLANET News | Two Economists Predict Downturn to be Mild. Click Here>  *KEOWEE Chamber Music | 8th Annual Festival begins June 3. 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>  Who's Doin' The Peel? Click Here>
*THE GRAY EAGLE Live | Pickin', singin', playin'. Click Here> *TOP 20 Night Spots | For fun downtown. Click Here> *WRITE to this journalistic, grassroots-oriented, community news website | Tell us your Downtown Asheville story; inspire us this spring with your words and images. (Of course, we'll give you attribution.) Click Here> *PHOTO Tour of Downtown Asheville | Compliments of ExploreAsheville. Click Here> *HAPPIEST Place to Live | It's Asheville, NC, says Eric Weiner in his new travel book, "The Geography of Bliss." Click Here> BIKE Plan Pedals Forward | Reports Asheville Daily Planet. Click Here> *CONCERTS Continue at St. Mathias | Complete 2008 schedule Click Here> *ALIVE in Asheville | One of America's top places to live 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> *Asheville City Council Members: Changed More> *Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce: Active More> *Blog Asheville: Write More> *Western Carolina Business Journal: Subscribe More> *The Greener Home Monthly: Advertise More> LAUGHABLE NEWS... *News of the Weird Click Here> *The Onion Click Here> *Asheville Disclaimer Click Here> *Asheville Citizen-Times Click Here> CURRENT NEWS... *City of Asheville Press Releases More> *Buncombe County's Official News More> *Asheville Global Report now known online simply as Global Report More> *Relocate-America Ranks Asheville as Number One More> *Malaprops Booksignings and other events More> *Cecil Bothwell's Blog provides thoughtful analysis More> *On Energy Activists Mike Hopping sheds some light More> *M.A.I.N. news and views More> *MountainXpress opinion page More> *WPVM Radio archived programs now online More> *Buncombe County Commissioner Primary Race Results Click Here> SHOPPING ASHEVILLE... *Wall Street: Another featured street More> *Malaprop's: Ashevilles' favorite bookstore/cafe More> *Antique Tobacco Barn: A barnful of bargains More> *Sweeten Creek Antiques: At the sign of the rooster More> *AIR Association: Independent restaurants downtown More> HISTORY OF ASHEVILLE... *Ah, the Paris of the South... Asheville, NC, is the official seat of Buncombe County and the unofficial capital of Western North Carolina (WNC). There is more to Asheville, North Carolina, than the Biltmore House, Biltmore Village, and the Grove Park Inn. The new gem in the southern crown is Downtown Asheville. It is a designated All-American City (1997). Above all, Asheville is known for its sense of community, eclecticism and free spirits. Click Here> MORE WORTHY WEBSITES... *ArtAsheville.com The Artists and Galleries of Asheville *ArtsAsheville.com All About the Arts in Asheville *AshevilleOnStage.com Spotlight on the Performing Arts *CraftsAsheville.com The Artisans of Asheville *LisaRing.com Sparkling watercolorist and photographer *RapidRiverMagazine.com Arts and Culture Monthly *TheGreenerHome.com Sustainable Living Resource *VadimBoraStudio.com One of Asheville's finest *WesternNorthCarolina.com Real Estate Guide *WNCTraveler.com Wonderful Destinations in Western North Carolina *YevasUniverse.com Travel beyond Asheville LOCAL NEWS FROM THE GRASSROOTS UP... Your comments and press releases are always welcomed. We've been reporting our unique community's news online for nearly four consecutive years. So email your news, photos and essays 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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