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BREAKING NEWS
FOUND!
*MISSING TEEN Jessica Renee Hall has been found | Last seen in Downtown Asheville's Pritchard Park on July 23, 2008, this Morganton, NC, teenager was located this past weekend in Eugene, Oregon. "She returned home ... and we are very relieved ... but it is just the beginning. She is very traumatized and very confused," Jessica's mother, Christy Harrison, told DowntownAsheville.com on Mon., Dec. 15, 2008. Hall had been missing since July 5, 2008, when she had run away from her Morganton home. Jessica's aunt, Jennifer Graffman, characterized the discovery as "wonderful news" and said that her niece "had been found safe."
Santa to Visit Pritchard Park Dec. 20
*KIDS CAN SEE SANTA CLAUS FOR FREE this Sat., Dec. 20, 2008, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Downtown Asheville's popular people's park | Pritchard Park is best known as home to drumming circles, Arts2People events, games of checkers, office workers taking sandwich breaks, and friends meeting up with friends | For details and directions to a great little public park in the city, Click Here>
Taking Stock at Progress Energy
*MIKE HOPPING'S LATEST INSTALLMENT of Electrifying Developments | Local author/journalist Michael Hopping filed his latest report about Progress Energy and its citizens' council (CEAC), which is designed to better chart the region's future electricity needs. Hopping's report is based on the most recent regularly scheduled CEAC meeting. The group was formed by Progress following a local citizen's revolt in 2007 that toppled its plans to build an oil-fired electricity generation plant in the north Buncombe County city of Woodfin. | Writes Hopping: "Progress Energy’s Community Energy Advisory Council (CEAC) closed out its year by reviewing Progress’s 2008 achievements and thinking ahead to 2009. Along with the attaboys and good cheer, some news items surfaced." For Hopping's full report dated Dec. 12, 2008, Click Here> | For Asheville-based blogger Heather Rayburn's kudos to Progress for its progress, Click Here> | For more info about Progress Energy's renewable energy initiatives, Click Here>
Obama to Travel by Train from Philly to DC for Inauguration Weekend
*THE CULMINATION OF BARACK OBAMA'S TWO-YEAR JOURNEY to the White House | The 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Mon., Dec. 15, that the President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will travel via railroad to Washington, D.C. on Sat. January 17, 2009, and host events along the way in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. The trip marks the final leg of a journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Illinois and will culminate on the steps of the United States Capitol. | For details and inaugural events, Click Here> | The National Mall will remain open to the public on Inauguration Day. For details, Click Here> | Tell DowntownAsheville.com about your plans to attend the upcoming inauguration: Click Here>
TOP STORIES
New Buncombe Commissioners Meet Dec. 16, Controversial I-26 Connector Alternatives on Agenda
*FRESHMAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HOLLY JONES AND RAY BAILEY along with new chairman David Gannt get down to work with old-timers Bill Stanley and Carol Peterson | David Gantt was installed on Dec. 1, 2008, as the new Buncombe County chairman. Joining him are newly elected commissioners Holly Jones and K. Ray Bailey, along with re-elected commisioners Bill Stanley and Carol Peterson. For background and contact info, Click Here> | Although they've already officially had their their first meeting, it was a short one. This Dec. 16, 2008, meeting is their first FULL-SIZED, regularly scheduled commission meeting. The major agenda item deals with the controversial I-26 Asheville Connector options. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Room 204 of the Courthouse in Downtown Asheville. For details, Click Here> | For background and citizen's input that questions the size and scope, visit i26group.org or Click Here> | The Asheville Design Center's Griffin award-winning modification to the I-26 corridor continues to be a favorite of many. The center believes "the I-26 Connector (and related construction) is the most important public investment decision facing WNC in our lifetime." To understand why, Click Here> | The Chamber wants the I-26 connector construction to be expedited: Click Here>
CONVICTED MURDERER * Photo: Asheville Police Dept.
Man Pleads Guilty in July 4 Murder, Receives 12 Years
*STEVEN SHULTZ PLEADS GUILTY of July 4th murder of Fred McLeod at Dec. 15, 2009, Buncombe County Superior Court trial | The murder had taken place during a drug deal turned violent in the Beaucatcher Cinemas parking lot across from the Asheville Mall. The Asheville Police expended great energy and over 465 man-hours to gather evidence and interview more than a dozen people to bring the conviction of Steven Shultz to "a successful conclusion." | For details, Click Here>
Downtown Master Plan Coming in March?
*AFTER THE SEPTEMBER PUBLIC MEETING WAS CANCELLED, Citizens Wait 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 will likely be unveiled in a public meeting sometime in March, 2009, project manager Sasha Vrtunski told DowntownAsheville.com. Stay tuned for the soon-to-be-announced schedule. | For official city news about the plan to date, Click Here> | For more news and photos, Click Here> | The first public meeting on May 8, 2008 overflowed with passion: Click Here> | For news about the May 15, 2008, meeting, Click Here> | For news about the June 12, 2008, public meeting, Click Here> | For info about the two July 2008 meetings, Click Here> | For news about the July 29 meeting, Click Here> | For officially posted public input about the downtown master plan, Click Here>
ART NEWS
THE WORKS: SANTA SHRINE BY HARRY MCDANIEL
*'MOUNTAIN SCULPTORS' ANNUAL EXHIBITION Opens Dec. 19 | Reception for a group exhibition, known as "The Works," on Fri., Dec. 19, 5 to 8 p.m. at Vadim Bora Studio-Gallery. Featured are the works of 19 sculptors, who are members of the Mountain Sculptors. This annual exhibition celebrates smaller works created by sculptors who often work in large dimensions. “The Works” brings everything down to size (two feet and under) for intimate study, calling attention to detail, technique, style, and medium. Sculptors include Ralph Berger, Vadim Bora, Barron Brown, Richard Conn, Elizabeth Franklin, Len Fury, Dan Howachyn, Ina, and Karen Ives. Also featured are the works of Harry McDaniel, Dale McEntire, Catherine Murray, Linda Pannullo, John Richards, Ripp Smith, Julia Stout, Tekla, Martin Webster, and Robert Winkler. The sculptures are in a variety of media – from steel, plastic, wood, and glass to copper, bronze, marble, and concrete. | For details, visit MountainSculptors.org or Click Here> | For directions to the gallery, where the exhibit will run Dec. 19, 2008, through Jan. 2, 2009, Click Here> | For some of the member sculptors' larger outdoor works on display at the North Carolina Arboretum, Click Here>
*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>
FEATURED NEWS
EARTH GUILD ON HAYWOOD STREET * Photo: Belzak/Mediabear
Shopping Downtown Is Peaceful - Yet Sizzles, Too
*INDEPENDENT LOCAL BUSINESSES provide holiday goodwill | For a night-time window tour of Downtown Asheville, Click Here> | For a sizzling seasonal line-up of fireworks and fun in Downtown Asheville and throughout the Asheville Area, Click Here> | For more news about seasonal sizzle compliments of the Asheville Downtown Association (ADA) and its members, Click Here> | For detailed info about merchants on Lexington Avenue and Wall Street, Click Here> | For a list of the 46 downtown merchants who participated in ADA's 2008 annual holiday windows display contest, Click Here> | For more 2008 photos compliments of DowntownAsheville.com, Click Here>
Make War, Not Peace?
*THE CONTINUOUS WAR CONCEPT perpetuated by the USA and other so-called civilized societies must be examined | A Dec. 16, 2008, Truthout.com perspective that focuses on war, death and disappearing children is relevant during this season that celebrates goodwill for all humankind. | "The concept of war has been both expanded and inverted," writes Henry A. Giroux. "It no longer simply refers to a war waged against a sovereign state... . The concept of war has also been inverted in that it has been removed from any concept of social justice - a relationship that emerged under President Lyndon Johnson and exemplified in the war on poverty. War is now defined almost exclusively as a punitive and militaristic process. This can be seen in the ways in which social policies have been criminalized so that the war on poverty developed into a war against the poor, the war on drugs became a war waged largely against youth of color and the war against terrorism continues as a war against immigrants, domestic freedoms and dissent itself. In the Bush-Cheney view of terrorism, war is individualized as every citizen becomes a potential terrorist, who has to prove that he or she is not dangerous." | For Giroux's complete perspective at Truthout.org/121608A, Click Here>
'Tis the Season for Peace
*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> | For an historical perspective that documents anti-war protesters taking to the streets in the "Asheville Goes to War" video, Click Here>
Lake Julian Festival of Lights Dazzles Nightly
*FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY runs Dec. 5 - 19, 2008. | To rev up the holiday spirit, drive through the holiday-lit grounds of Lake Julian Park, located off of Long Shoals Road in South Asheville. | For details, Click Here>
Gingerbread House Display Open to the Public
*THE GROVE PARK INN'S ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION AND PUBLIC DISPLAY runs through Jan. 11, 2009. | For details, Click Here>
Police Announce DUI Crackdown During the Holidays
*ASHEVILLE POLICE are participating in a 2008 holiday campaign to clamp down on intoxicated drivers | The Asheville Police Department recently announced that it will work in conjunction with agencies statewide and participate in the North Carolina governor’s highway safety program known as “Booze It & Lose It" campaign. Announced actions include stepped up patrols and a concentration on impaired drivers.
UNC Asheville to Close for Winter Break
*UNC ASHEVILLE WILL BE CLOSED for winter break Dec. 20, 2008, through Jan. 4, 2009. | Some UNCA offices will be open on a limited basis Dec. 22-23, Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 2. | For more details, Click Here>
Tourism Guru Kelly Miller Installed as New Councilman
*EXECUTIVE V.P. OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KELLY MILLER WAS INSTALLED BY ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL AS ITS NEWEST MEMBER on Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 | Kelly Miller, who heads up the tourism section of the Asheville chamber and oversees the popular website, ExploreAshevile.com, was appointed at the regularly scheduled Asheville City Council monthly meeting on Dec. 9, 2008. He replaces Holly Jones, who vacated her seat on the Asheville City Council when she won her bid and was installed as one of five Buncombe County commissioners. The Asheville City Council reviewed over 40 applications. | For more details, Click Here>
PARKSIDE NEWS
The Scandal Continues
Steve Rasmussen: Speaking at a public meeting in front of the old Buncombe County commissioners this past summer, Rasmussen delivered a petition signed by thousands of concerned citizens to Stop Parkside. The old commission was chaired by Nathan Ramsey, who was instrumental in creating the Parkside mess that continues today. Ramsey was ousted this past election by David Gannt, who must now deal with the ongoing contentious Parkside problem. The Parkside development and controversy is perpetuated by Asheville developer Stewart Coleman, who refuses to back down and recently said he intends to demolish Asheville's oldest structure, the Hayes & Hopson building. * Photo: Belzak/Mediabear
Why Save the Hayes & Hopson Building from Demolition
'Heritage conservation and heritage tourism are two of Asheville's greatest strengths' -Steve Rasmussen
*STEVE RASMUSSEN SPEAKS OUT in favor of preserving Asheville's heritage by saving the Hayes & Hopson Building, Asheville's oldest structure slated for demolition by Stewart Coleman, developer/builder of 21 Battery Park condominiums and the controversial Parkside project in front City Hall. | Steve Rasmussen, one of the key figures in those who have publicly opposed Parkside and in saving Asheville's historic magnolia, now speaks out against Stewart Coleman's threat to destroy another important piece of Asheville's heritage. Rasmussen's recent letter to the Downtown Commission urges them to vote against the demolition of the Hayes & Hopson building at their Fri., Dec. 12, 2008, meeting. | Writes Steve Rasmussen: "Let's set an example with the Hayes-Hopson -- and with other underutilized historic treasures in Asheville -- that will reverberate from Asheville to Raleigh to Washington, D.C. Heritage conservation and heritage tourism are two of Asheville's greatest strengths -- and if we stand up and do what's right by them, our old buildings could begin renewing our economy as soon as next Inauguration Day." | For Rasmussen's complete letter on why saving the Hayes-Hopson building should be a citywide priority that must be supported by the Downtown Commission, Click Here>
STEWART COLEMAN ON THE ATTACK: Photographed seconds before he attacked DowntownAsheville.com's publisher-editor Byron Belzak in the Buncombe County Commission Chamber. The unprovoked attack was witnessed by Gordon Smith, Frank Adams and others. * Photo: Belzak/Mediabear
Scrutiny Hooligans: 'Defiant Coleman Moves Ahead on Parkside' (or Why Gordon Smith Should Have Been Chosen as City Council Member)
*GORDON SMITH TAKES UP THE TORCH AGAIN to stop Parkside, but loses his bid to be appointed as the new council member | There were a lot of good applicants for the vacant City Council position -- and congratulations to the newly appointed Kelly Miller. However, Scrutiny Hooligan's founder Gordon Smith would have rounded out the perspective of city council better with his grassroots, common sense, "people first" approach. | For the complete DowntownAsheville.com commentary, Click Here>
Parkside: a Coleman Spite House in the Making?
*STEWART COLEMAN MIGHT HAVE THE MONEY AND MOTIVATION to get even with those whom he feels wronged him | For commentary about what Asheville developer Stewart Coleman might have up his sleeve next concerning his Parkside condominium project, Click Here>
Lest The People (and Politicians) Forget: July 15 Parkside Protest
*HELLO, POLITICIANS: The citizens of Asheville and Buncombe have not forgotten that they want Parkside stopped forever | For the July 15, 2008, Parkside protest photos and commentary, Click Here> | For MountainXpress's Parkside condo timeline, Click Here> | For Scrutiny Hooligan's incredibly detailed Parkside coverage, Click Here>
SHOPPING ASHEVILLE
Featuring Local Businesses and Organizations
New Discounted Memberships for 2009 Season
*SOLID NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION has been promoting jazz in the mountains since 2003. | WNC Jazz Society brings great musical acts and provides educational programs. | For info, Click Here>
Swedish Massage by Brett Rodgers * Photo: Vitality Massage
Give (Yourself) the Gift of Massage
*ONE HOUR OF BODYWORK THERAPY FOR $35 BY A LICENSED ASHEVILLE PRO is one introduction that the weary shopper can't pass up to become revitalized | Treat yourself to a full range of massage by Brett Rodgers (NC License #7557). | Click Here>
Chamber Launches Local Coupon Website
*NEW, MONEY-SAVING COUPONS AVAILABLE ON CHAMBER'S NEW WEBSITE, SaveInAsheville.com | To download online coupons provided by local businesses and professionals, Click Here>
FOR MORE IDEAS AT SHOPPINGASHEVILLE.COM, Click Here>
CURRENT NEWS
Job Fair Set for Dec. 30
*CHAMBER OF COMMERCE announces a job fair by companies looking to hire in 2009 | Area residents and visitors who are seeking jobs or a change in career are encouraged to attend the free event to be held in the center court of Biltmore Square Mall on Hwy. 191/Brevard Rd. (off I-26) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | For details, Click Here>
Asheville Area Unemployment Lowest in the State
*ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER RECENTLY REPORTED 'at 5.2 percent, the September 2008 unemployment rate in the Asheville metro was the lowest among all metros in North Carolina.' | For the complete report filed by Chamber update editor Tom Tveidt, 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>
POOL TREE BY ZEN SUTHERLAND
Zen's Stunning Collection of Asheville Area Photos
*ZENOGRAPHY by Zen Sutherland | Make some time this busy holiday season to see life through the lens of one of Asheville's greatest contemporary photographers. | For hundreds of remarkable images, Click Here>
Promoting Social Justice
*OUT IN ASHEVILLE Launches Daily Gay News Online | For current OIA/LGBTQ news, Click Here>
CITY GOVERNMENT NEWS
*FIRE MARSHAL WARNS VIOLATORS of Increased Enforcement | If someone stays with a vehicle being loaded, they are not in violation of the city ordinance, said Asheville Fire and Rescue Department officials. However, shoppers will be subject to a fine if they illegally park their vehicles in travel lanes of parking lots, in front of fire hydrants and in fire lanes. Such violations present emergency vehicles and personnel with access problems. Local deputy fire marshals request that shoppers properly park their cars, load their vehicles in loading zones, and have someone stay with the vehicle while loading.
*POLIC OFFER SAFETY TIPS After Rash of ATM Holdups |
On Oct. 29, Nov. 13, and most recently on Nov. 18, 2008, Asheville police reported three incidents of armed holdups when patrons tried to make withdrawals or deposits at the automated teller machine at the Wachovia branch (2373 Hendersonville Road). In light of these problems, the police offer the following tips to increase safety at ATMs: Click Here>
*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>
WNC HEALTHCARE
MISSION HOSPITALS: Western North Carolina's Largest Healthcare System
Mission Hospitals: 'Look for Major Projects and Purchases to Be Delayed'
*MISSION HOSPITALS' NOV. 21, 2008, 'SCOPE' NEWSLETTER highlights how the financial meltdown is affecting our community health system | Writes Mission: "The number of uninsured and underinsured people in our region is on the rise. ... The tight credit markets will affect everything from new construction to the purchase of major equipment. ... Look for major projects and purchases to be delayed in 2009." | To read the current "Scope" issue, pick up a copy at the hospital. | To view previous issues online, Click Here>
Our Ailing Heathcare System
*FIVE MYTHS about America's Ailing Healthcare System | Washington Post reports: Click Here>
OBAMA IN ASHEVILLE * Lisa Ringelspaugh-Irvine/MediaBear
OBAMANIA IN ASHEVILLE: More than 20,000 supporters listerned to Barack Obama when he campaigned on Oct. 5, 2008, at the Asheville High School stadium.
Obama's Major Healthcare Speech Still Resonates
*IN ASHEVILLE, BARACK OBAMA Spoke with Eloquence and Focused on Healthcare | Obama electrified Asheville on Oct. 5, 2008, as he spoke for more than an hour to over 20,000 who attended his campaign 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 Mediabear photos of Obama in Asheville, Click Here> | For president-elect Barack Obama's website, Click Here>
The Obama-Biden Plan
*FOR THE OFFICIAL NEWS about Obama's healthcare plan, Click Here>
LAUREY MASTERTON: BIKING FOR OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS
Masterton's Ride for Awareness
*OUT in Front | For Laurey Masterton's recent note about her quest to bring awareness and support of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and early detection with her major, upcoming, cross-country bike ride, Click Here>
ASHBIZ.COM
THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE
WNC to Get First Large-Scale Solar Farm
*MARKETWATCH REPORTED ON OCT. 27, 2008 that Three Carolina Companies Will Partner Together to Make Solar Farm A Reality | For details about the FLS Energy, Progress Energy and Evergreen Packaging project on a former landfill, Click Here>
Obama Announces Economic Team
*BARACK OBAMA REVEALS FIVE Key Advisers on Nov. 24 | Hopefully these two men (Tim Geithner, Larry Summers) and three women (Christina Romer, Melody Barnes, Heather Higginbottom) will help get America back on track. | For details on Change.gov, Click Here>
Obama: We'll Emerge More Prosperous
*ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S GREATEST INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES about the economy | While on the campaign trail, Obama's Canton, Ohio, "We'll emerge from this crisis stronger and more prosperous" speech was moving: Click Here>
*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>
HUMOR (NO KIDDING!)
Photo: Belzak/MediaBear
TONGUE-ON-CHEEK Questions of the Week
*What would you love to do with your Suburu in a deserted manufacturing plant's parking lot for four minutes without your "baby on board" sign? Click Here>
*Can you heat your home by 'Fire Hooping' in Asheville? Click Here>
*Can drunken Durham, NC, fraternity in danger of losing its house launch successful, hare-brained, economic fix? Click Here>
*Can the Society for Creative Anachronism modernize? Click Here>
*Why does Asheville's Rock Station think 'we've all been there'? Click Here>
*Is a 'Sense of Humor' store just for laughs? Click Here>
FOR MORE PRESSING QUESTIONS, 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>
*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>
POLITICS
Electoral College Updates
*FOR AMERICA'S POLITICAL OUTCOMES ... that Haven't All Yet Come In | For those who are keeping count, especially in the U.S. Senate races in Georgia, which was recently won by Republican Saxby Chambliss, and in Minnesota, where the recount continues: Click Here>
Inauguration Tickets Go to Early Birds
*CONGRESSMAN HEALTH SHULER Offers Inauguration Tickets to WNC Residents on a First-Come, First-Served Basis | Shuler said that there are already more requests for tickets to Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009, than he will have tickets allocated to his District 11 constituents. Therefore, Shuler's office is no longer taking any new requests, and will distribute the tickets to those who made their requests the earliest. | For details, Click Here>
Change.gov: Introducing the President-Elect's Transition Website
*VIEW VIDEOS AND RECEIVE NEWS about a new chapter in American history | This impressive new website of the Office of President-elect Barack Obama provides updates about a host of issues confronting America today. Included on the site is a blog where Ashevillians and all Americans can share their thoughts with Obama and his team involved with the transition. | Why tell your story? Obama's reply: "Your stories and your ideas can help change the future of the country. When we come together around a common purpose, great things are possible." Start blogging, Asheville.| Visit Change.gov or Click Here>
MORE POLITICS
Are Republicans the Stupid Party?
*'THE ECONOMIST' SEES REPUBLICANS' ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM as Seeds of Disaster | For a thoughtful article from the other side of the Big Pond, Click Here>
Dems Win Big in Buncombe
*OBAMA AND LOCAL DEMOCRATS WIN BIG in Buncombe County | Buncombe voters swept Democrats into office, including five Democrats to fill all five Buncombe County Commissioner seats. | For Buncombe County election results, Click Here> | For more North Carolina election results, county-by-county, Click Here>
BAILOUT NEWS & VIEWS
Obama Orders Creation of 2.5 Million Jobs
*WITH THE POWER VACUUM AT THE WHITE HOUSE GROWING BY THE MINUTE, President-elect Barack Obama ordered on Sat., Nov. 22, 2008, that his advisers craft an economic plan that will create 2. 5 million new jobs within two years | For article and video, Click Here>
*SPREADING THE WEALTH 'Goes Upward' | Opinion piece about how Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke and U.S. Treasury secretary Hank Paulson are spreading the wealth | An original by Truthout.com: 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>
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>
FOOD NEWS
*RESTAURANTSAsheville.com | Only unique restaurants in Asheville listed, such as Rosetta's Kitchen. | To find your favorite place, Click Here>
REAL 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. Many thanks for your emails of news, photos and essays. We will continue to post as many as we can. Keep it real, and email: byron(at) mediabear.com or Click Here>
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