Press release From Blue Ridge Toastmasters (club #8215) The Blue Ridge Toastmasters Club is presenting a four-week “Speak-Up Asheville” Public Speaking Workshop. This program is open to the public and will enhance participant’s ability to present their ideas with confidence, speak with authority, respond with poise and impact, relate to their audience, and improve their […]
Author: Margaret Williams
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Rays Weather warns of winter’s return by Jan. 20, cold snap by Jan. 22
In a Facebook post, RaysWeather notes, “We’ve outlined since the beginning of January our thoughts on a colder flip toward JAN 20,” and say the change “appears to be on track.” Rays also predicts that “Temperatures will become more seasonable this week, followed by a much more extreme cold snap by or around the 22nd. […]
WE DO campaign continues call for full federal equality for LGBT individuals
Press release From the Campaign for Southern Equality Asheville, N.C. (January 11, 2013) – Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples continue to request – and be denied – marriage licenses in their hometowns across the South as the WE DO Campaign grows across the South. At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 11th, LGBT couples […]
Former city staffer John Miall says he’ll run for Asheville mayor, Citizen-Times reports
from the Asheville Citizen-Times “Former Asheville official running for mayor” by Mark Barrett Former city employee John Miall announced his candidacy for mayor this morning. Miall retired from his job as city director of risk management in 2006 after working 30 years for the city in a career that also included work in human resources […]
ECO announces Sustainable Living workshops for early 2013, starts Wednesday, Jan. 23
Press release from then Environmental & Conservation Organization, Hendersonville, N.C. ECO, the Environmental and Conservation Organization’s Green Energy and Sustainability Committee will host a series of interesting, informative and hands-on workshops this year to help local residents learn to become more productive food growers, cut their energy footprint, and become more self-sufficient. The workshops will […]
Views from the vortex: In Part 2, more elders evoke our town
Part 2: Several months ago, Asheville resident Jim Chatham contacted Xpress concerning a project he was leading. Inspired by Eno Publishers’ 2012 release, “27 Views of Asheville,” Chatham challenged graduates of his periodic writing seminar, “Turning Your Life Into Literature,” to take a whack at producing their own verbal snapshots of this unique community. Twenty-one of them heeded the muse and subsequently gathered to share their respective offerings. Here’s the second batch of “views” (part 1 published on Jan. 2). (photos by Max Cooper)
Ashevillage Institute launches Urban Farm School, offers student positions
Press release from the Ashevillage Institute Ashevillage Institute hosts a season-long learning experience in one of the country’s capitals of local food culture; Asheville, NC. An exciting new full-season learning opportunity for students to discover how to successfully grow local food in a living, learning laboratory at Ashevillage Institute in Asheville, NC. This hands-on, action-oriented […]
Duke Energy set to request another rate increase, AP reports
Last year, Duke Energy asked the North Carolina Utilities Commission to approve a 17 percent rate increase; the company agreed to 7 percent. The Associated Press reports that Duke is set to ask for another increase: News from the Associated Press as reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times Duke Energy has told North Carolina utility regulators […]
Local residents start petition to fight state takeover of water system
As of Jan. 7, nearly 800 people have signed a petition that declares their opposition to North Carolina legislators making “any mandated takeover” of “any local government infrastructure systems or assets (in this case Asheville’s 20,000 acre pristine watershed).” Last year, a state committee — chaired by Buncombe County Rep. Tim Moffitt — mandated that […]
WNCA offers six-session, climate-change discussion, starting Thursday, Jan. 24
Press release from the Western North Carolina Alliance The Western North Carolina Alliance is offering a great six-session discussion course on climate change, “Global Warming: Changing Course.” The course runs from Jan. 24-Feb 28. Participants will explore the history and science of global warming, personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and […]
Local AdFed group relaunches Tuesday, Jan. 8, with event at Bonefish Grill
Press release from the American Advertising Federation Asheville Asheville AdFed is out to get you. With a Relaunch Party scheduled for January 8 at the Bonefish Grill, they’re certainly on the right track. The event, sponsored by PaleoSun will offer appetizers and drink specials as well as door prizes from local businesses. The new AdFed […]
North Carolina officials issue quarantine on walnut lumber, firewood, Citizen-Times reports
News report from the Asheville Citizen-Times (Jon Ostendorf) Sawmills and firewood dealers in Haywood County won’t be able to sell walnut to customers in other parts of North Carolina under a state-issued quarantine on the wood. … The N.C. Department of Agriculture quarantine applies to walnut tree material — ranging from firewood to boards and […]
NC Press Association protests private swearing-in for Gov.-elect McCrory
Press release from the North Carolina Press Association The North Carolina Press Association has joined other media organizations in asking Gov.-elect Pat McCrory to allow full public access to his private swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 5. McCrory is to be sworn into office during a private ceremony in the former House chamber of the old […]
North Carolina among states where telecom companies, legislatures limit broadband, Bloomberg reports
In “U.S> Internet Users Pay More for Slower Service,” Susan Crawford, writing for Bloomberg, outlines the state of broadband deployment and access in the United States: The tale isn’t promising, and part of the problem: Legislators and telecom companies working to block getting high-speed service to Americans. Crawford cites the case of North Carolina legislation […]
PARI presents guide to winter night-sky Friday, Jan. 11
Press release from PARI December 26, 2012) – The public is invited to a special presentation Friday, January 11 at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) concerning the wintertime night sky and celestial objects visible in Western North Carolina. The evening’s activities will include a tour of the PARI campus and celestial observations using PARI’s […]
Local group planning a public charter middle, high school; seeks public comment
Press release The Franklin School of Innovation A group of local parents and educators are preparing to take the first formal step toward opening a public charter middle and high school in the Asheville/Buncombe County area. Founder Michelle Vruwink, an education policy consultant and parent, said The Franklin School of Innovation will file a Letter […]
Six-week women’s career exploration group starts Jan. 23
Press release Women face numerous challenges managing a career in today’s labor workforce. With women comprising 46 percent of the U.S. workforce, having solutions for these challenges can create a solid foundation for planning a career that is a good fit both personally and professionally. With all the career options now available to women, it […]
Progress, Duke Energy want lower solar-energy payments, News&Observer reports
From the Raleigh News&Observer “Progress, Duke want to slash payments for green energy,” by John Morawski At a time that Progress Energy is seeking a 14 percent rate increase for residential customers in North Carolina, the Raleigh power company wants to slash payments as much as 29 percent for electricity it buys from solar generators […]
Record wind gust recorded at Grandfather Mountain last Friday
Record wind gust recorded at Grandfather Mountain last Friday, the Associated Press reports (via the Asheville Citizen-Times. Officials at the mountain say the wind gusted to 120.7 mph for three seconds last Friday. That broke the record three-second gust of 114.7 mph set on Jan. 26, 2011. …
Asheville on Bikes: 1,800 bikes corralled in 2012, thanks to volunteers
Newsletter excerpt from Asheville on Bikes During this year’s six-month-long corral season, AoB expanded its corral services, adding dates like RiverMUSIC and Tour de Toubab. Corral numbers increased dramatically, thanks to volunteers’ efforts to educate the public on the availability of free, secure bike parking. Some individual events saw as much as 90% growth over […]
ACT: Jury says insurance not liable in Richmond Hill fire; owners “participated” in blaze
The Asheville Citizen-Times’ Clarke Morrison reports, A federal jury ruled that the former owner of the Richmond Hill Inn participated in the intentional burning of the historic structure nearly four years ago. The judgment in a lawsuit means the ownership group, The Hammocks LLC, won’t be able to collect on a $6 million insurance policy […]