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SNAPSHOT - September 25, 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> *ASHEVILLE AREA Maps | Find your way. Click Here> *MILEAGE Charts | From Point A to B. Click Here> *SAVE with GasBuddy.com | Local gas prices. Click Here> *TRAFFIC & CONSTRUCTION Reports | Daily. Click Here> *13 CALENDARS of Events | What's new to do. Click Here>
*QUICK CLICK Directory | Good stuff daily. Click Here> *COUNTY Facts | Per U.S. Census Bureau. Click Here>  *WPVM Radio | Broadcasting from Downtown. Click Here> *UNITED WAY'S 2-1-1 | Confidential help 24/7. Click Here> *SUSTAINABLE Asheville | Calendar of Events. Click Here> BREAKING NEWS
Following the Financial Bailout *SERIOUS FINANCIAL NEWS AND (CROSS YOU FINGERS) SOLUTIONS Worth Reading and Watching | CNN Money has the latest news about the financial meltdown and, hopefully, news about how the government and others are doing something about it. | Just cry or for CNN, Click Here> | For more money news, visit Economist.com, Fortune.com, FT.com, NYTimes.com, Time.com, USAtoday.com, WashingtonPost.com, and WSJ.com. Transparency? *SHOULD AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW the Financial Bailout Plan Before Congress Votes? | Provide your comments to be posted on DowntownAsheville.com: Click Here> Good News for Gas Addicts *CITY ANNOUNCES 'LARGE SUPPLY OF FUEL' Coming Soon to WNC | Follows is the official city Fuel Update on Sept. 25, 2008, at 11:38 a.m.: "North Carolina Emergency Management has confirmed that Colonial Pipeline's Spartanburg terminal will receive a large supply of fuel today that hopefully will be available for Western North Carolina. This is a considerable quantity that has been earmarked to ease the demand in our region. The Spartanburg terminal has been receiving limited amounts since Hurricane Gustav hit on September 1st. The NC Department of Energy projects that the fuel situation in our area should begin to see relief by next week." Gas Available on I-40 *TWO PLACES THAT HAVE GAS Off of I-40 | Recent eyewitness reports say that west of Asheville in Tennessee at Exit 417, the Pilot gas station has fuel. East of Asheville near Morganton off of I-40 at Exit 112 the Marathon gas station on Main Street in Downtown Valdese has gas, according to real estate broker Nobie Thrasher at The Settings. To tell us where you know there is gas in the Asheville Area, Click Here> Fuel Shortage Forces City to Curtail Office Hours, Cancel Programs; Increase Fuel Conservation Plan to Level 2 All Non-Public Safety Facilities and City Hall Will Be Closed to Public on Friday and Monday *CITY ANNOUNCES 'LEVEL TWO' of Fuel Conservation Measures | Given uncertain gasoline and fuel supplies in Western North Carolina -- and following Asheville city manager Gary Jackson's recent report that the city had implemented "the first level of the accelerated fuel conservation operational plan" -- he announced on Sept. 24, 2008, that the fuel conservation plan has been raised to Level 2. He said that this increased level of conservation will not interrupt police, fire and rescue, transit and sanitation services. | Non-public safety facilities will be closed to walk-in customers on Fri., Sept. 26 and Mon., Sept. 29, 2008, including City Hall; however, minimal staff will be accessible by email and telephone. | All Asheville Parks and Recreational facilities will be closed, except after-school child care services will operate normal hours from 2-6 p.m. The Asheville Civic Center is not cancelling events, except it will be closed on Fri., Sept. 26. All non-public safety facilities will re-open on Tues., Sept. 30. Chamber Anticipates More Gas Next Week, Suggests Gas-Saving Adventures *ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED Increased Gas Supplies Likely Next Week. | On Sept. 24, the Chamber reported: "We anticipate that supplies will return to more normal levels next week." However, it suggested that tourists gas up prior to coming to Asheville to avoid possible long lines at area gas stations. Once in Asheville, the Chamber suggested to park the car and enjoy Downtown Asheville on foot. The chamber reported, "Fuel supplies should be increasing throughout the next week and, hopefully, returning to normal by late next week. Already, some stations are reporting a small increase in gas allotments. The Chamber, along with local government, continues to encourage residents to only purchase the gas they need. Motorists should refrain from hoarding gas supplies, so that other community members will have access to fuel as well." | For fall gas-saving adventures, Click Here> FEATURED NEWS  BLOGASHEVILLE PRESENTS: Xtravablogiversapaloozathon III Bloggers Invited to Awards Celebration, Charity Benefit for AHOPE Sept. 27 *3RD ANNUAL BLOGGERS BLOW-OUT AND AWARD CEREMONY Presented by BlogAsheville | Here's the invitation... YOU ARE INVITED ... To an uproarious night of celebration, congratulation, and community. With over 130 bloggers on the roll and lots of love from area techies, artists, and business folk, the 3rd annual xtravablogiversapaloozathon promises to be our biggest bash yet. | This year's festivities will take place on Sat., September 27, 2008, 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. in the courtyard near Top Floor Studios. This year's fiesta will also benefit AHOPE, the incredible homeless shelter and Housing First program in Asheville. | The Awards will begin at 8 p.m. sharp. | To vote for your favorite bloggers, Click Here> | For more details about the event, Click Here> 'Hey Day' Volunteers Needed, Nature Center to Reopen Sept. 30 *HELP NEEDED FOR ANNUAL 'HEY DAY' of Family Fun at WNC Nature Center on Oct. 11, 2008 | The Nature Center needs more volunteers to staff its annual Hey Day event, a fun-filled family festival, on Sat., October 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Currently, the Nature Center is closed due to the gas shortage and will re-open on Sept. 30. | To sign up as a Hey Day volunteer, contact: email Shannon Wildes at heyday (at) rocketmail.com, call 828-298-5600 (ext. 308), or Click Here> Major Neighborhood Association Conference Oct. 4 *COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOODS (CAN) ANNOUNCED Its 3rd Annual Neighborhood Congress | To be held on Oct. 4, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Jubilee! in Downtown Ashveille. | For info about CAN, Click Here>  Bravo and B.B.Barns Team Up for Benefit Concert Oct. 5 *ARTS IN THE GARDEN Benefit Concert to Help Asheville Bravo Concerts | Public is invited to attend on Oct. 5, 2008, 4 to 6 p.m., at BB Barns Garden Center on Sweeten Creek Rd. | For more info, call Bravo at 828-225-5887, visit bbbarns.com, or Click Here> Progress Requests Massive Rate Hike, New Sustainability Center Announced, What's 'Behind the Bailout' *AUTHOR/JOURNALIST MICHAEL HOPPING Files an Important Asheville Area Energy Report on Sept. 12, 2008 | For details about current Progress Energy power issues and possible new national sustainability center to be located in Downtown Asheville, Click Here> | For Mike Hopping's just released report on his take on what's behind the massive financial bailout, visit mikehopping.com or Click Here> GOVERNMENT ALERTS
*CITY OF ASHEVILLE ANNOUNCES CITIZEN OPENINGS ON THREE COMMISSIONS: Civic Center, Civic Service, Greenway | Application deadline: Oct. 16, 2008. | For details about the commissions and how Asheville citizens can submit their applications, Click Here> *EXCESSIVELY HIGH GAS PRICES? State Attornery Accepting 'Alleged Gas Gouging' Complaints | After receiving calls regarding "alleged gas gouging by stations in the city," the Asheville City Police directed the public to NC attorney general Roy Cooper. | To report possible gas price gouging to the NC Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division, call toll-free at 1-877-566-7226. *DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN Consultants Work Towards Final Recommendations to be Presented to the Public on a Date to Be Determined | The last public meeting to review the final draft will be presented by the consultants at a later date, although the date was not announced. More time was needed and "the draft plan needed additional work," said Pat Whalen, chair of Asheville's Downtown Commission. | For details, Click Here>  Have You Seen Her? *HAVE YOU SEEN MISSING TEEN Jessica Renee Hall? | This 17-year-old was last seen in Downtown Asheville's Pritchard Park on July 13, 2008. Jessica loves art, school and track. She has a little brother, mother and grandmother who miss her dearly. Any clue is appreciated. Click Here> BEYOND ASHEVILLE  DANCING INTO THE WEE HOURS AT LEAF * Photo: LEAF Discount LEAF Tickets Until Sept. 30 *LEAF TICKETS Selling Fast | The always musical, always artful, always peaceful, always sold-out Lake Eden Arts Festival of Black Mountain, NC, reports: "October 2008 festival tickets are selling like hotcakes!" DISCOUNT TICKET PRICES UNTIL SEPT. 30. | To get in on the musical, cerebral, funky, poetic, friends and family fun -- before it's too late -- call 828-686-8742, or Click Here> Obama Says: 'Debate Is More Important Than Ever' *PRESS CONFERENCE with Barack Obama Explaining Joint Statement with McCain about Financial Crisis and the Need Not to Postpone This Friday's Debate | Posted on YouTube, this low-key statement followed by a question-and-answer session with Obama and the press at a recent press conference gives insights into his style. | For Obama's press conference in which he stated that the "debate is more important than ever," as posted on YouTube, Click Here> Will There Be a McCain-Obama Debate Friday Night? *JOHN McCAIN SUSPENDS CAMPAIGN and Tom Brokaw Comments | "It's important what kind of leadership qualities are demonstrated [during the debate]," said NBC news commentator Tom Brokaw. Although McCain announced that he will suspend his campaign for now so he can deal with the financial crisis, Brokaw predicted there will still be a debate this Fri., Sept. 26, 2008. | For Tom Brokaw on YouTube, Click Here> | For John McCain's press conference on YouTube, Click Here> | For news about the debate that is scheduled to focus on international issues and be held at Ol' Miss in Oxford, MS, Click Here> ART NEWS
 ARTIST GABRIEL SHAFFER'S IF YOU WANT BLOOD Shaffer Goes Solo at Satellite *SOLO SHOW OPENING FOR GABRIEL SHAFFER at Satellite Gallery | Shaffer's show, entitled "If You Want Blood," will be featured throughout September and October at Satellite, which is located on Broadway in Downtown Asheville. | For Satellite Gallery, Click Here> | For Gabriel Shaffer, Click Here> *ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | Click Here>
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS  Last Weekend for Free Shows of 'Doctor Faustus' *THE MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS Perform | "Doctor Faustus," by Christopher Marlowe, Sept. 5 - 28; each Fri., Sat., and Sun. at 7:30 p.m. Bring your snacks, blankets and friends for theatrical, neighborly, free (donations accepted) fun. 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> MONEY ALERTS
Suntrust and BB&T Fair Better Than Most
*IN ONE YEAR, THE COMBINED TOTAL DEVALUATION of U.S. Stocks Is $4 Trillion, Reports NY Times, But Two Southeast Banks Heathlier than Most | Here's an interactive chart that shows what the capital market value of some of the largest financial companies in the world were worth one year ago compared to what their market value is today. Noteworthy are two Southeast regional banks, Suntrust and BB&T, which have faired relatively well given the current circumstances. Just move your mouse on top of one of the blocks to see the figures for the various banks and financial legends. | For this NY Times report, Click Here>  56 Ormand Ave. (ABOVE) is "competitively priced," said The Real Estate Center broker and listing agent Megan Kieninger * Click Here> Fewer Real Estate Agents, More Listings, Lower Prices *HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AGENTS LEAVE PROFESSION, But Homes Still Selling and Some Are Lowering Prices | While real estate has been hit hard in states such as Florida, Nevada and California, several local real estate brokers confirmed that Asheville Area prices are, for the most part, holding up. "There's too much money and too many people wanting to come to the mountains for there to be a collapse in prices here," said Mike Bryant, owner of Estate Realty. | For current listings throughout the Asheville Area, visit WesternNorthCarolina.com or Click Here> | For Real Estate Weekly articles and listings, Click Here> HISTORICAL ASHEVILLE
 *HISTORIC EVENT When Asheville Helped Make Obamania Happen | Buncombe was the only county in Western North Carolina to prefer Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. | For the latest news about where the North Carolina Democrats go from here, Click Here> *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> PARKSIDE NEWS  Asheville's Epic Struggle Continues DowntownAsheville.com continues its in-depth news coverage of Asheville's most contentious real estate development, an epic struggle between middle class citizens and the powerful, well-heeled elite. Pack Heirs (and Asheville Citizens) Win ... For Now *JUDGE HYATT RULES IN FAVOR OF PACK HEIRS, But Future Uncertain | Many questions remain, such as: Will Parkside developer Stewart Coleman appeal once the final judgment is filed? | *For ScrutinyHooligans.us coverage, Click Here> | *For MountainXpress update about Judge Hyatt's ruling, Click Here> Coleman to Appeal? *PARKSIDE'S ATTORNEY SAID COLEMAN WILL APPEAL Judge Hyatt's Ruling | To read the lastest report about what the attorney representing Parkside developer Stewart Coleman said will happen next, visit Mountainxpress.com or Click Here> FOR MORE PARKSIDE INFORMATION: *Asheville On The Ground blog: Click Here> *DowntownAsheville.com archives: Click Here> *ScrutinyHooligans.us reports: Click Here> *StopParkside.org: Click Here> IN REVIEW
 OrganicFest 2008 * Photo: Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine OrganicFest Spreads the 'O' Word *THE 7TH ANNUAL ORGANICFEST Delivered the Food and the Message that Organic Food Is Better | Downtown Asheville's organic food street party provided townies and tourists alike with good tastes and good times this past weekend on Sat., Sept. 6, 2008. | For this year's festival info, Click Here> | For news about why the festival was founded, Click Here> ASHBIZ.COM THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE *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> *S.C.O.R.E. | Seasoned expert help | Click Here> *CNN | Right on your money | Click Here> MUSIC AND MORE  *WHO'S DOIN' The Peel? | One of America's best musical venues | Click Here> *THE GRAY EAGLE Live | Pickin', singin', playin' | Click Here> *ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here> *CONCERTS at St. Mathias | Attend | Click Here> *LIVE Downtown Video | On Battery Park Ave. | Click Here> *MALAPROP'S Books/Cafe | A Downtown favorite | Click Here> HUMOR (NO KIDDING!)
 Compliments of AllFordMustangs.com TONGUE-ON-CHEEK Questions of the Week *Is a 'Sense of Humor' store just for laughs? Click Here> *Is it time for some campaignin'? Click Here> *Will the anti-Bush merchandise market collapse? Click Here> *Can the Society for Creative Anachronism modernize? Click Here> FOR MORE PRESSING QUESTIONS, 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 ESTATE INFO
*REAL ESTATE Listings | Featured homes | Featured Condos | Vacation rentals | B&Bs | Hotels/Motels | For sale | For rent Click Here> QuickClickDIRECTORY
Click Here> *CIVIC CENTER Schedule of Events | Click Here>
*CALENDAR of Festivals and Events | Click Here>
*DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Schedule | Click Here>
*UNCA Master Calendar | Click Here>
 The Pig Statue That Was Stolen Is Still Missing Watercolor by Asheville artist Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine at ArtAsheville.com 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. So continue to email your news, photos and essays to us today. Email: byron(at) mediabear.com or Click Here> *DowntownAsheville.com is published daily by MediaBear | MediaBear, a division of Wenoca Real Estate, Inc., is an independent Internet publisher and writing service based in Buncombe County. MEDIABEAR, P.O. Box 1040, Skyland, NC 28776 * 828-768-5600 Copyright 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 All Rights Reserved |
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