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SNAP SHOT - July 4, 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 | 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>  Photo of Bob Ingles, founder of Ingles food markets, during his company's 40th Anniversary. In 2008, Ingles can celebrate 45 years of serving Western North Carolina. Ingles, the son of a grocer, opened his first food store in 1963 on Hendersonville Road in Buncombe County and is known for his philanthropic efforts. THANK YOU, BOB FOR THE FOOD AND FIREWORKS INGLES, OTHERS SPONSOR 4TH OF JULY 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 POISED TO CRACKDOWN ON CITIZENS Who Use Illegal Fireworks on July 4th Weekend> Click Here> GOOD-BYE, JESSE HELMS Who Died Yesterday Click Here> HIGH-RISE HEAVEN ON HAYWOOD STREET? Asheville's Tallest Building Project with Two 20-Story-Plus Towers Approved by Downtown Commission, But Developer's Promised "Community Benefits Program" Uncertain *HAYWOOD PARK HIGH-RISE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED by the Asheville Downtown Commission at an 8:30 a.m. Public Meeting on 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," which he had promised in public to provide. Everyone is breathless in anticipation of what that package just might contain. Click Here>  WNC's oldest arts and culture publication 'MOUNTAIN CRAFTINESS' AT ITS BEST *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> THE PARKSIDE NEWS HEATS UP WITH LIKELY RUSH TO JUDGMENT by unelected City of Asheville officials of the TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (TRC), who are purportedly working quietly and quickly to try and approve Coleman's controversial Parkside condo without public scrutiny on Mon., July 7, 2008, at undisclosed location and unannounced time, reports Scrutiny Hooligans' watchdog Gordon Smith.  "ON, OFF, ON AGAIN" Scrutiny Hooligans Says Click Here> CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE EXPLAINED BUNCOMBE COUNTY CITIZENS Opposed to Parkside Condo and Parkland Grab Announce 'Direct Action Training' on Sun., July 6, 2008, at 3 P.M. in front of Asheville City Hall and under the City-County Plaza magnolia. Click Here> THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN
 DAILY PROTEST 4-7 P.M. UNDER THE MAGNOLIA "Have you signed the Parkside Petition, yet?" JULY 4 MAGNOLIA WATCH DAY 11 *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. CLARE'S PARKSIDE JOURNAL "ASHEVILLE ON THE GROUND" REPORTS Click Here> ASHEVILLE'S EPIC STRUGGLE OF PUBLIC INTEREST VERSUS PRIVATE INTEREST PARKSIDE PHOTO GALLERY Click Here> HOLD TRUE: THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN PARKSIDE POEM Click Here> PARKSIDE PARODY POKING FUN AT PARKSIDE MESS Click Here> PARKSIDE QUOTE "Parkside does not pass the fish test. It just smells bad." - Alan Robinson, Buncombe citizen PARKSIDE MEDIA COVERAGE MountainXpress Update: The fairest way to resolve Parkside is through eminent domain, said Richard Koerber, according to MountainXpress weekly. Click Here> THE PARKSIDE CONUNDRUM Pack Square Conservancy, Asheville Downtown Association, Asheville PARC, and others oppose Stewart Coleman's Parkside. Click Here>  Photo by Byron Belzak/DowntownAsheville.com * Copyright 2008 MEDIABEAR PARKSIDE STEWART COLEMAN 'LOST IT' IN COURTHOUSE SECONDS AFTER DOWNTOWNASHEVILLE.COM PUBLISHER-EDITOR BYRON BELZAK SNAPPED THIS PHOTO Who eyewitnessed ParkSide developer Stewart Coleman assaulting MediaBear wordsmith Byron Belzak in the Buncombe Commissioners Chamber on June 24, 2008? *GORDON SMITH of www.ScrutinyHooligans.us weighs in. Click Here> *FRANK ADAMS of "Democracy in the Workplace" fame saw Coleman assault Belzak and would testify to such if asked in a court of law. *BYRON BELZAK of www.DowntownAsheville.com emails public response to city and county officials after false statements made by Parkside hatchet man Tom Israel.  Photo: B. Belzak/MEDIABEAR The Ouch of Oil *BILL MOYERS Connects the Dots about Oil and Iraq War | Plugged into reality, America's great journalist, Bill Moyers, offers an electrifying, albeit chilling, news analysis and video, entitled "It Was Oil, All Along," at www.truthout.org/article/it-was-oil-all-along or 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>  Boycott Grows Against Duke Energy, Rally in Asheville on July 20 More grassroots groups continue to protest Duke's construction of a greatly expanded Cliffside coal-powered plant in NC. News posted by Canary Coalition. Canary Coalition announced that the next boycott rally against the construction and expansion of the Cliffside power plant is planned in Asheville on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Phil Mechanics Studio, 109 Roberts Street, according to the Canary Coaltion. The rally to support the boycott will be held from 8 -10 pm with "lights out" at 9 pm for the boycott. The public is invited to bring musical instruments to play, conduct readings, read poetry and talk with friends. 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> *GOURMET PERKS FORMER EMPLOYEES Work to Open New, Worker-Owned Cafe | 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> 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. and will be performed every weekend throughout July 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> *Should you laugh your Asheville off? Click Here> *Will you be attending the 29th Annual Weekly FestivalFest? Click Here> *What would Chomsky say about Parkside? 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  Watercolor by Asheville artist Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine Click Here> 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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