MEDIABEAR PRESENTS
DowntownAsheville.com: Connected
'Community News from the Grassroots Up' TM
*TODAY'S Weather | And forecast. Click Here>
*AIR Quality | Ridge tops and valleys. Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Maps | Find your way. Click Here>
*13 CALENDARS of Events | What's new to do. Click Here>
*LINKS Directory | Good stuff daily. Click Here>
BREAKING NEWS
Record Voting in Buncombe at 'Early Voting' Stations * Belzak/MediaBear
'Almost 70,000' Already Voted in Buncombe, Record Turnout
Holly Jones Confirms Record 'Early Voting'
*AP REPORTED THAT 38% VOTED EARLY in North Carolina | Locally, election volunteers in Buncombe County reported that early-voting reached record levels. Sixteen site had been opened to accommodate voters. Some stations experienced long lines while others, such as in Avery's Creek, had virtually no lines. | Yesterday, Asheville city council member Holly Jones, who is running for Buncombe County Commissioner, wrote: "There has been tremendous turnout among people participating in Early Voting this year. Out of 173,873 registered voters in Buncombe County, almost 70,000 have already gone to the polls during early voting. Wow. To put it in perspective, a total of 105,000 Buncombe residents voted in the 2004 presidential election." For info about Jones' campaign, Click Here> | For the Associated Press report of record early voting statewide, Click Here> | Local voters' questions answered at 828-250-4200 or Click Here> | The League of Women's Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County offers an easy-to-use guide of voting locations for the general election on Tues., Nov. 4: Click Here>
'Fall Back' Today
*TIME Changes | With daylight savings time over, reset your clocks BACK one hour.
Balmy Weather Perfect for Arboretum, Hours Reduced
*HOURS REDUCED AT NC ARBORETUM, Free Parking Every Tues. | Hours of operation for general use of the grounds is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The entrance gate closes at 6 p.m., and everyone must leave the grounds by 7 p.m. The winter hours coincide with the elimination of daylight savings time. | For Arboretum facts and fun, Click Here>
BREAKING (UP) NEWS
The Candidates Formerly Known As The Republicans!
For those who could use a good laugh about now: MaverickParty.com
*FUNNY Videos, Cartoons and Commentary | For the election silly season, Click Here>
FEATURED NEWS
Asheville Film Fest Tickets Now on Sale
*CITY-SPONSORED EVENT NOW IN 6TH YEAR Will Feature 75 Independent Films Nov. 6 - 9 | Oscar-nominated actor Brad Dourif and Oscar-winning writer/director Frank Pierson will both be celebrated for their contributions in motion pictures. The festival runs Nov. 6 through Nov. 9 in six venues located in Downtown Asheville. | For details, Click Here>
Have Leaves, Will Deliver (or Pickup)
*WANT FALLEN LEAVES DELIVERED or Want Them Removed? | Most city residents and businesses want their fallen leaves collected by the city, and the city recently released its pick-up schedule. However, for those who want fresh leaves for mulching, the city is more than happy to deliver them at no charge. For details, call 828-251-1122. | For the city's current leaf collection schedule: Click Here>
Open Up to Door Art Nov. 6
*ANNUAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND-RAISER NOV. 6 at The Orange Peel | For details about the 2008 Doors of Asheville featuring art by regional artists, call 828-254-4030, visit mtnhousing.org, or Click Here>
ASHBIZ
Internet Seminar at Chamber Nov. 7
*REGISTER TO ATTEND a Chamber-Sponsored Event that Focuses on the Importance of the Internet | Entitled, "The Internet: Why it's more important than ever for business success," the seminar will be held at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce from 9 to 11 a.m., Nov. 7, 2008. | For more info, Click Here>
$3 Million Bribe by Fraga?
*MUMPOWER REQUESTS TRANSPARENCY in Fraga High-Rise Project | City council member Carl Mumpower recently sent a letter to Mayor Terry Bellamy requesting that a “Fraga Project and Public Benefit Packages” issue be added to an upcoming agenda. Mumpower contends that the "public benefits offer" by the developer of the proposed massive Fraga hotel and condo project with two 20+ story towers in Downtown Asheville "was, in essence, a three-million dollar bribe intended to sway the Council to make a political versus legal decision on his project." | For Mumpower's complete letter, Click Here>
AVAILABLE AT CAFE PRESS * CLICK HERE>
Big Oil, Big Profits, Again
*EXXON MOBIL SMASHED Its Own U.S. Record for Quarterly Profits | With the largest quarterly income in American history, Exxon Mobil was busier than usual "ringing up $14.83 billion in net income thanks to soaring summertime crude oil prices," reports The Washington Post. For complete story, Click Here>
IN MEMORIAM
Studs Terkel Dies at 96
*HERO OF WORKING AMERICANS Died This Past Friday | For details about the life-and-times of one of America's greats,
Click Here>
POLITICS
A Guiding Light
*LOCAL VOTERS' GUIDE by Scrutiny Hooligans | For newcomers and old-timers to the Asheville blog-o-sphere, a good place to spend some quality time. | To see if you agree with ScrutinyHooligans.us election wish list, Click Here>
'The Reformer' for Sale
*PALIN POSTER AVAILABLE in Downtown Asheville | Downtown Books & News and On-A-Roll, both located on Lexington Ave., now offer "The Reformer." Also available online at www.MaverickParty.com or Click Here>
McCain-Palin Campaign Seeks Volunteers
*EMAIL REQUESTS VOLUNTEERS JOIN IN FINAL PUSH to Help the McCain-Palin Ticket | For details about McCain's North Carolina 72-Hour Sign-up, Click Here>
Sen. Richard Burr (left) joins Gov. Sarah Palin in Asheville on Oct. 26, 2008 * Belzak/MediaBear
7,800 Attend Palin's 'Bash-and-Clash' Rally at Asheville Civic Center
Palin Focused on Bashing Obama and His Plans for Helping the Middle Class; She Emphasized God and 'Patriotic Places,' Demonstrators Protest Palin
On Sun, Oct. 26, 2008, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin spoke in person to 6,000 cheering supporters in the Asheville Civic Center, while an additional 1,800 attendees sat in another auditorium and watched Palin speak on a giant TV screen. Palin's speech in Asheville was mostly an attack on Obama. She touched very little on the major issues of the day. Meanwhile, pro-Obama forces demonstrated all day in front of the Civic Center against Palin's appearance in Asheville, while some Palin supporters screamed back in opposition. Nonethelesss, thousands of the Palin faithful loved what they heard and saw. Palin looked well rested and was animated. She resisted saying "You betcha." She said the race was far from over. Palin criticized the media for reporting the polls that currently show that the McCain-Palin ticket is trailing the Obama-Biden campaign.
Palin supporters collide with Obama crowd in front of Asheville Civic Center * Belzak/MediaBear
FOR FULL PALIN RALLY STORY AND MORE PHOTOS, Click Here>
Everywhere A Sign
*THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE RECENTLY REMINDED CITIZENS of Political Sign Standards | 1. Signs can be posted in any zoning district. 2. Signs must be located on private property. 3. Signs must not be placed within any public right-of-way. 4. There is no limit on the amount of signs that can be posted. 5. Signs must be no larger than eight square feet and can be double faced. 6. Signs must be removed within five days of Election Day by property owners and candidates. 7. Citizens may not remove the opposing sides’ signs. | For more info about posting political signs within city limits, call the Planning Department at 828-259-5830.
Obama '08 yard signs available at Rosebud Video for $3 each
Friends Don't Let Friends Be 'Signless'
*PARC PAC Offers Obama Signs at Cost | Available at Rosebud Video on Charlotte Street and at Instant Karma and On-A-Roll, both on Lexington Ave. PARC writes: "Pick up additional signs for your friends. Buy a bunch and offer them to your neighbors at cost." | For details, Click Here>
Election Protection Hotline
*VOLUNTEERS MAN THE PHONE NATIONWIDE to Help Voters | The over-riding message of this non-partisan group is straightforward: YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. If you have questions about the election or have a problem voting, call toll-free 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683), visit 866ourvote.org or Click Here>
2004 Photo of P. Diddy (left), who coined the phrase "Vote or Die" and subsequently founded Citizen Change, a youth-oriented nonprofit that advocates the importance of the youth vote because what politicians say and do affects the lives of America's youth. * The Black Collegian
Rockin' the Youth Vote
*ROCKIN' THE 2008 VOTE: Why America's Youth Vote Will Decide This Year's Presidential Election | TC Roberson High School senior Will Belzak examines the importance of the youth vote in this year's presidential election. | Click Here>
*270 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES NEEDED to Win | To do the math with this interactive U.S. map, visit 270towin.com or Click Here>
*NORTH CAROLINA'S Presidential Voting History | As NC swings to the possibility of returning to a Blue State this year -- with Asheville and Buncombe County potentially playing a pivotal role -- blast to the past, all the way to the days of our nation's Founding Fathers, and view NC's Blue-Red seesaw ride: Click Here>
*POLLS, NOT PROPAGANDA, Provide Studied Potential Outcomes on Election Day | For scientific political polls and reports, click on the following sites: Rasumussen, SurveyUSA, Quinnipiac, Gallup, and USAElectionPolls.
OBAMA IN ASHEVILLE * Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine/MediaBear
*IN ASHEVILLE, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA Spoke with Eloquence, Passion and Focused on Healthcare to 20,000+ | Obama electrified Asheville on Oct. 5, 2008 as he spoke for over an hour to over 20,000 who attended the Obama political rally at Asheville High School stadium in Downtown Asheville. He was introduced by a Mission Hospitals' nurse who spoke passionately in favor of healthcare reform. Obama, in turn, focused on his vision for heathcare for all Americans. | For photos, Click Here>
*ON VIDEO, Barack Obama Promises to Restore Prosperity to America | Truthout posts video of Obama: Click Here> | For Obama's recent message of hope delivered in Ohio, Click Here>
*ON VOTER ELIGIBILITY and the ACORN Story | "The real threats to the fabric of democracy are the unreasonable barriers that stand in the way of eligible voters casting ballots." -New York Times Editorial, Oct. 16, 2008. | Click Here>
*BOOKIES WILL LOSE BIG, If McCain Wins | For the 2008 Presidential Betting Odds, Click Here>
*MUMPOWER SUSPENDS ALL BROADCAST ADVERTISING, Campaign for U.S. Congress 'Almost Broke' | Carl Mumpower emailed a recent statement to the media explaining that he was immediately stopping all broadcast ads, because he believed that they were simply sound bites that manipulated the public. | For Oct. 16 news story, as reported by Fort Mill Times, Click Here>
CURRENT NEWS
Download Money-Saving Coupons
*CHAMBER ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE, SaveInAsheville.com | To download online coupons provided by local businesses and professionals, Click Here>
Progress Still Pushes Coal and Nuclear
*MIKE HOPPING REPORTS on the Latest News and Noise from Progress Energy | Filed on Oct. 10, 2008, the bottom line is bad: Progress Energy will keep pushing its worn out agenda of increased coal pollution and nutty nuclear in the name of electrical power. When will Progress get serious about renewable energy? Read journalist/author Michael Hopping's even-handed take ("Welcome to My World: CEAC XVI") on WNC's so-called Progress. Click Here>
Give Peace A Chance Every Tues.
*STAND FOR PEACE AT VANCE MONUMENT Each Tues. Afternoon | Stand for peace with members of Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Western North Carolina Peace Coalition, Buncombe Green Party and sundry peace-mongers each Tues., 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Vance Monument, located at Biltmore and Patton avenues in the heart of Downtown Asheville. | ALSO, Veterans For Peace Chapter 099 holds a monthly meeting that is free and open to the public the first Thurs. of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Firestorm Cafe & Books, 48 Commerce Street, Asheville NC. | For details about Veterans for Peace in Asheville, Click Here> | For WNC Peace Coalition info, Click Here> | For directions to Firestorm, Click Here>
BAILOUT NEWS & VIEWS
*WHERE ARE THE TAXPAYERS' BAILOUT BUCKS Really Going? | The Associated Press recently broke the news that bankers, flush with the taxpayers' $700 billion, are spending it in ways that will make Americans' blood boil. Take a seat, pop a beer, and Click Here>
*MAYBE Alan "The Maestro" Greenspan Was Wrong? | Now that's an understatement as one listens to his testimony in front of blistering questioning by U.S. Senators about what happened with the economy and his part in it. | For Greenspan quotes, Click Here> | For intelligent public response to Greenspan's admitted surprise that banks couldn't self-regulate themselves, dah, Click Here>
*MARKET Watch | Follow the bouncy ride. Click Here>
*SERIOUS Financial News | Worth Reading. Click Here>
*BAILOUT DETAILS ABOUT H.R. 1424 That Have Been Signed into Law | To read H.R. 1424 posted at the Library of Congress, Click Here>
ON THE BEAT
RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE IS THE REGION'S OLDEST AND
MOST WIDELY READ ARTS AND CULTURE MONTHLY
*CURRENT ISSUE of Rapid River | Click Here>
*CURRENT ISSUE of MountainXpress | Click Here>
*CURRENT ISSUE of WNC Woman | Click Here>
'RIDE, BABY, RIDE'
*A NOTE from Laurey Masterton | Click Here>
Citizen-Leader Wanted
*CITY OF ASHEVILLE ANNOUNCES CITIZEN OPENING for ABC Commission | Application deadline: Nov. 13, 2008. | For details about the Asheville ABC Commission and to submit an application to become a commission member, Click Here>
JOHN MAC KAH'S NEW LIMITED EDITION: COLD MOUNTAIN IN AUTUMN
Mac Kah Presents New Work
*NEW WORK OF COLD MOUNTAIN by John Mac Kah now available at BlackBird Frame & Art | Recently, Asheville artist John Mac Kah presented his newest work of Cold Mountain in the fall at BlackBird's newest location on S. Lexington Ave. | For details and directions to BlackBird, Click Here>
Downtown Master Plan Coming Soon?
Been wondering about the consultants' progress?
*AFTER THE SEPTEMBER PUBLIC MEETING WAS CANCELLED, Citizens Have Been Waiting for a New Meeting Date to Analyze the Master Plan for Downtown | The long-awaited Master Plan for Downtown Asheville produced by city-hired consultants Goody Clancy of Boston is being readied and may be unveiled in a public meeting sometime in late Nov. or early Dec. Stay tuned. | For official city news about the plan to date, Click Here> | For more news and photos, Click Here>
PARKSIDE NEWS
'STOP PARKSIDE' STICKERS ARE WORN BY MANY AT HEARINGS * Photo: Belzak/MediaBear
Asheville's Epic Struggle Not Over Yet: Coleman Appeals, Says Tribune
*DOWNTOWNASHEVILLE.COM CONTINUES Its In-Depth News Coverage about Parkside | Asheville's most contentious real estate development -- an epic struggle between middle class citizens and the powerful, well-heeled elite -- just won't go away. | For comprehensive coverage of Parkside scandal, Click Here> | For Jennifer Saylor's article about Parkside in The Blue Banner, UNCA's newspaper, Click Here> | For Asheville Tribune, find a copy on the street in an outdoor box downtown.
Coleman's 'Spite House'?
*ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE CONCERNING THIS BAD DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL According to Many Local Real Estate Professionals Who Wish the Project Would Go Away for Good | Here's what developer Stewart Coleman could do on land that he owns -- and in the process tear down Asheville's oldest building that's next to the new $21 million City-County Plaza park now under construction with Pack Square Conservancy oversight: Click Here>
*OUT IN ASHEVILLE Launches Daily Gay News Online | 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>
*REAL ESTATE Weekly | Articles and listings | Click Here>
*S.C.O.R.E. | Seasoned expert help | Click Here>
GOVERNMENT ALERT
Have You Seen Her?
*HAVE YOU SEEN MISSING TEEN Jessica Renee Hall? | Any info? Click Here>
ART NEWS
*ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here>
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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>
HISTORICAL ASHEVILLE
*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>
MUSIC AND MORE
Hometown Holiday Jam VIII
*COMMUNITY HOLIDAY BENEFIT for Manna Food Bank and Salvation Army | On Dec. 10, 2008, at The Orange Peel. $10 advance / $12 at the door. Bring a can of food or a toy, too. Help your hometown through the tough times. | 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>
*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
*What are we, (fill in the blank)? Click Here>
*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>
ELI: Helping to create a much-needed Firestorm * Belzak/MediaBear
101 IN GOOD FOOD, GOOD FOLKS: Eli of Firestorm Cafe and Books is a worker-owner of one of Downtown Asheville's best new places to eat, read, compute, organize, and have a cup of mud with some clear talk. SPECIAL NOTE: The cafe has a virtually unprecedented Buncombe County Health Dept. rating of 101, although soon the county will change its grading system so that no establishment can receive a higher mark than 100. * For more info about how to become a part of the worker-owner movement at Firestorm, Click Here>
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>
Photo Courtesy of AdvantageWest
DowntownAsheville.com
*YOUR 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>
*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.
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