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SNAPSHOT on July 2, 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> PARKSIDE PHOTOS ASHEVILLE'S EPIC STRUGGLE OF PUBLIC INTEREST VERSUS PRIVATE INTEREST CONTINUES Click Here> *TODAY'S Weather | And seven-day forecast. Click Here> *ASHEVILLE AREA Maps | Find your way. Click Here> *2008 QuickClickDIRECTORY | Good stuff. Click Here> *TOP 21 Nightspots | For fun downtown. Click Here> *ASHEVILLE Calendar | Just about any way you like it. Click Here> BREAKING NEWS WNC'S TALLEST BUILDING PROJECT MOVES FORWARD IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE *DOUBLE-TOWER HAYWOOD PARK HIGH-RISE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL APPROVED by Asheville Downtown Commission at Public Meeting Tues., July 1, 2008 | Asheville Downtown Commission voted in favor of supporting the largest new building proposal that the city has seen in decades. The Haywood Park redevelopment proposal submitted by FIRC Group Inc., will include two 20-plus story towers and tens of thousands of square feet of new retail space designed to attract new upscale retailers. Kitty Love, executive director of Arts2People and a member of the Downtown Commission attended the July 1 meeting. She told DowntownAsheville.com that she looks forward to learning more details about the developer's "community benefit program." Recently, the Haywood Park redevelopment developer had stated publicly that he would provide a community package that would benefit the public interest. Downtown Commission members and the public await to see just how generous the community benefits package by the Haywood Park developer will be. Love said some Asheville merchants favor the high-rise redevelopment while others do not. She confirmed the Asheville's UDO does not have any height restrictions at this time, therefore the developer is legally allowed to build as high as he wants. If completed, as proposed, the massive Haywood Park redevelopment project will boast the tallest building on the Asheville skyline, as well as the tallest building in the history of Western North Carolina. "Some believe (constructing) tall, slender buildings will be good for Asheville, but I'm not convinced," said Love. The Downtown Commission meeting was held Tues., July 1, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. in the Office of Economic Development, 29 Haywood Street in Downtown Asheville. The meeting, which was open to the public, continues the design review process and quest to fully understand the details of the developer's bold high-rise towers that will add hundreds of thousands of square feet of new hotel-condo-retail space in the heart of downtown. Click Here> PARKSIDE UPDATE Parkside Technical Review Meeting Scheduled for July 7 Now Postponed | No official word yet on why or when it will be rescheduled, but news from folks gathered under the magnolia in City-County Plaza say the technical review meeting may be delayed for only a week, maybe two. Why? Perhaps to find a more suitable, larger venue to accommodate a large crowd given the intense interest by the public in the Parkside controversy. Click Here> INGLES, OTHERS SPONSOR JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION (1 p.m.) and Fireworks Display (10 p.m.) Downtown in Pack Square near Vance Monument and BB&T Building Click Here> ASHEVILLE POLICE CRACKDOWN ON CITIZENS Who Use Illegal Fireworks on July 4th Weeked Click Here>  JULY 2008: Rapid River Magazine is WNC's oldest arts and culture magazine *61ST SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS CRAFT FAIR July 18, 19 & 20 | At the Asheville Civic Center 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Fri. and Sat., and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sun. Admission: $6 (under 12 free), reports Rapid River Magazine. Click Here>  Photo by Byron Belzak/Mediabear The Ouch of Oil *BILL MOYERS Connects the Dots about Oil and Iraq War | While driving, riding, biking or hiking in Downtown Asheville (and wishing you had one of those cool little electric vehicles that the city owns), consider why we are where we are when it comes to the high costs of war and gas. America's great journalist, Bill Moyers, offers a recent chilling news analysis, entitled "It Was Oil, All Along," at www.truthout.org/article/it-was-oil-all-along or Click Here>  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR JULY 2 MAGNOLIA WATCH DAY 9 *PARKSIDE PROTEST CONTINUES UNDER THE MAGNOLIA TREE in City-County Plaza Daily 4 to 7 P.M. | The public is invited to sign a petition demanding the return of parkland in front of City Hall and halting construction of Stewart Coleman's high-rise condo in front of city hall. "ASHEVILLE ON THE GROUND" REPORTS Click Here> PARKSIDE PHOTO GALLERY Click Here> PARKSIDE POEM Click Here>  WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE ABOUT MEDFORD, PARKSIDE, TORTURE, ETC.? *880 AM RADIO HOST ERRINGTON THOMPSON and Journalist Cecil Bothwell Examine Bobby Medford's Crimes and the ParkSide Facts and Follies | The Errington Thompson Show of June 28, 2008, featured journalist/author Cecil Bothwell's commentary about Parkside and the recent Medford trial that will be published in his upcoming book, entitled "Pure Buncombe: The Life and Crimes of Sheriff Bobby Medford." The former Buncombe sheriff currently awaits sentencing of a possible 170 years in jail, said Bothwell. Click Here>  Registration Deadlines for City Tennis Tournament Youth: July 1 * Adult: July 7 * Cash Purse: $10K *ASHEVILLE'S 77TH ANNUAL Open Tennis Tournament July 8 - 21 | Asheville's Open Tennis Championships are scheduled for July 8-21 at Aston Park Tennis Center. Registration deadline: July 1 for Youth; July 7 for Adults. Total cash purse: $10,000. Click Here>  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR Pritchard Park's New, Free, Summer Arts Program Rocks *Arts2People ORGANIZES Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program | To contribute or learn more about the outdoor arts events in Pritchard Park this summer, which are free and open to the public at lunchtime, Monday through Friday and on select weekends, contact A2P leader Kitty Love. Click Here>  DAILY PROTEST 4-7 P.M. PARKSIDE PROTEST, PICNICKING AND SOCIALIZING CONTINUES IN CITY-COUNTY PLAZA Today -- and every day from 4 to 7 p.m. in Downtown Asheville -- residents and visitors are invited by "Asheville On The Ground" and "The Asheville Three" (and counting) to spend a little time under the 100-year-old magnolia tree. Socialize and celebrate the All-American concept of "We The People" -- at least until the magnificent magnolia becomes mulch.  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR 'TRUTHINESS' RULES *LET THE PARKSIDE 'TRUTHINESS' BEGIN Online and Under The Magnolia Tree | A new parody website at www.ParksideTruthiness.com mirrors and pokes fun at www.ParksideTruth.com, a website that tries to provide damage control to Parkside developer Stewart Coleman's sagging public relations effort. Meanwhile, on Sat., June 28, under the magnolia tree, former City Council candidate Lindsey Simberly and friends performed a political skit that skewered "Stewie" Coleman and his cohorts. Simberly advocates for Food Not Bombs and fun, the edgier the better. *For so-called "Parkside Truth," Click Here. *For tongue-in-cheek "Parkside Truthiness," Click Here>  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR 'SCARY STARE' ParkSide developer STEWART COLEMAN photographed seconds before his unprovoked attack upon DowntownAsheville.com wordsmith Byron Belzak who was photographing and reporting the event inside the Buncombe County Commissioners Chamber during the June 24, 2008, public meeting in Room 204 of the Buncombe County Courthouse, located in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. *Who eyewitnessed Stewart Coleman assaulting Byron Belzak?  *GORDON SMITH of www.ScrutinyHooligans.us weighs in. Click Here> Tell DowntownAsheville.com what you know, heard and/or saw? Nothing but the truth, please. Email: byron at mediabear.com or Click Here> Tel: (828) 768-5600  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR 'PETITION POWER' On June 24, 2008, Steve Rasmussen publicly presented county commissioners with a petition of 1,003 signatures of citizens who oppose the Parkside project and the sale of the parkland to Stewart Coleman -- proof that Parkside hatchetmen are wrong when they like to say only 80 Ashevillians oppose the monstrous project that will deface the art deco wonder of Asheville City Hall. “We demand the return of this parkland with no swap for city property.”
-Frank Adams, Asheville citizen *"THE ASHEVILLE THREE" CALL FOR DAILY "PRESENCE OF PROTEST" IN CITY-COUNTY PLAZA Against ParkSide Project and to Reclaim Parkland Beginning on June 24, 2008 | Three Asheville citizens have called for a "Presence of Protest" in Downtown Asheville today and into the future at the "massive magnolia" tree near City Hall EVERY DAY FROM 4 TO 7 P.M. to reclaim the public park upon which ParkSide developer Stewart Coleman's threatens to build an 8 to 11-story condo building. Click Here> *ASHEVILLE CITY PAPER Calls It Quits | Click Here> *THE PARKSIDE CONUNDRUM Continues | Click Here> *GOURMET PERKS FORMER EMPLOYEES Work to Open New, Worker-Owned Cafe | Click Here>  Local Indie Films to Be Shown *WINNING FILMMAKERS Who Shot in the Asheville 48 Hour Film Project Show Their Works at Asheville Brewing on Coxe Ave. | Awards and a showing of the winning films will be shown this week at Asheville Brewing on Coxe Ave.. It's free to the public. The first-place winner will go up against films shot in other cities around the world for the title "Best 48 Hour Film of 2008." Click Here> Downtown Master Plan Update *ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND PUBLIC MEETINGS by Downtown Master Plan Consultants on July 28, July 29 & Sept. 18 | City-hired consultants continue to work with the public as Asheville's new Downtown Master Plan is created and reaches consensus. Click Here> LAAFF Offers $250 Artist Prize
*ARTIST COMPETITION for New LAAFF Logo Announced | Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival, a downtown event that draws over 10,000 people each year, is soliciting artists to submit a logo design for the event. The submission deadline is July 15, 2008. LAAFF is one of Downtown Asheville's most popular and vibrant community events. This year's event takes place on September 7. For contest details, Click Here>  ALONZO BODDEN: Headliner at 2008 'LAUGH YOUR ASHEVILLE OFF' Tickets On Sale for Laugh Fest *ASHEVILLE'S COMEDY FESTIVAL Returns in July | The 2nd annual Laugh Your Asheville Off comedy festival comes to town July 17, 18 & 19. Headlining is NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner Alonzo Bodden and over a dozen other comedians. The fest is said to be the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Click Here> (Mostly) Free Bele Chere *2008 BELE CHERE FESTIVAL July 25, 26 & 27 | The irony: Billed as "A Free Downtown Street Festival," the festival website annouces in the same breath that tickets are on sale now for The Wailers and Third World (Fri., July 25) and Travis Tritt and Steve Azar (Sat., July 26). There's still time to plan now on whether to attend Bele Chere or leave town, as many Ashevillians do to avoid the crush of the crowd. Others fully embrace the largest party of the year and gladly pay for entertainment, while most choose the free music venues instead. Enjoy. Click Here>  *WHO'S DOIN' The Peel? | One of America's best musical venues. Click Here>
*THE GRAY EAGLE Live | Pickin', singin', playin'. Click Here>  *FINE FLICKS at the Fine Arts | Popcorn and beer, too. Click Here> Montford's Free Weekend Outdoor Theatre *THE MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS Continue to Perform Free Summertime Shakespeare Each Fri., Sat. & Sun. | Bring your blanket and treats. Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. "Antony & Cleopatra" will be performed every weekend throughout June in Montford Park, located a few blocks from I-240. Click Here>  Fine Crafts *THIS SUMMER IN BILTMORE VILLAGE FEATURES 36th Annual Village Art & Craft Fair | Some of the South's finest artists and artisans participate in this much-anticipated festival to be held Aug. 2 & 3, 2008, in Biltmore Village, located just south of Downtown Asheville. It's free to the public. Click Here> *NEW GasBuddy.com | Local gas prices 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> *URBAN Trail | History worth walking. Click Here>  Compliments of AllFordMustangs.com TONGUE-IN-CHEEK Questions of the Week *Who wants some good ol' fashion 'TRUTHINESS'? Click Here> *Would you rather have food or would you rather have bombs? Click Here> *When do you know your car should be recalled? Click Here> *What should no single man ever do? Click Here> *Should you laugh your Asheville off? Click Here> *Do you like violent video games? Click Here> *Can you karaoke with a little help from your friends? Click Here> *Will you be attending the 29th Annual Weekly FestivalFest? Click Here> For more pressing questions, Click Here>  *RESTAURANTSAsheville.com | Only unique restaurants in Asheville listed, such as Rosetta's Kitchen. To find your favorite, 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 | Water line replacement continues. More city news: Click Here> *CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS for Handicapped Parking Enforcement | City program to train volunteers. Click Here> I-26 Repair Zone *I-26 NIGHTTIME CONSTRUCTION to Begin | Look for delays in the evenings as repair of the bumpy road begins. Click Here> MORE... 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 - and sometimes wierd - events for big fun. Click Here> *DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Schedule of Events | Click Here> *CALENDAR of Festivals and Events | Something for everyone. Click Here> HISTORIC...  It's Obama *HISTORIC EVENT That Asheville Helped Make Happen | Buncombe was the only county in Western North Carolina to prefer Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. The New York Times' superdelegate chart shows the critical turning point immediately after the North Carolina and Indiana May 6 primaries. For Obama's democratic nomination victory speech on June 3, 2008, Click Here. For news about where the Dems go from here, Click Here> *HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Architectural Tour Click Here> *GROVE ARCADE Architectural Tour | Simply spectacular. 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> *CONCERTS Continue at St. Mathias | Complete 2008 schedule Click Here> *ALIVE in Asheville | One of America's top places to live Click Here> *BUNCOMBE County Primary | Race Results Click Here> QuickClickDIRECTORY... Click Here> LOCAL INFO... *Weather> *Traffic> *BeamPost Live Video> *Sexual Offenders> *Buncombe Trials> *City of Asheville> *Buncombe County Government> *Events> *13 Calendars> *Media List> *Real Estate Listings> *City Council> *Chamber of Commerce> *Blogs> *Business Journal> *The Greener Home> LAUGHABLE NEWS... *News of the Weird> *The Onion> *Asheville Disclaimer> *Citizen-Times> CURRENT NEWS... *City Press Releases> *County News> *Global Report> *Asheville Ranked No. #1> *Malaprop's Events> *Cecil Bothwell's Blog> *Mike Hopping Energy Reports> *M.A.I.N.> *MountainXpress> *WPVM Radio> 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 *AshevilleOnStage.com *CraftsAsheville.com *FrenchBroad.com *LisaRing.com *RapidRiverMagazine.com *RestaurantsAsheville.com *TheGreenerHome.com *VadimBoraStudio.com *WesternNorthCarolina.com *WNCTraveler.com *YevasUniverse.com  The Natural Home * Photo compliments of LisaRing.com 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. < |
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