From the RiverLink press release ASHEVILLE, NC — RiverLink, co-host of the 2012 North American River Management Symposium from April 24-26 in Asheville, is proud to announce that Rebecca Wodder, senior advisor to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, will speak at the kickoff of the gathering. Her speech, entitled “Protecting, Restoring and Reconnecting with Rivers through […]
News Bulletins
Young Republicans to host county candidates
Here’s the press release from the Buncombe County Young Republicans: ASHEVILLE – At their March monthly social, the Buncombe County Young Republicans will host all declared–and some still considering–Republican candidates for Buncombe County elected office. Candidates will include J.B. Howard, candidate for Chair of the County Commission; Mike Fryar and Christina Kelly Merrill, candidates for […]
OCC Invites Church & Community Reps to Celebrate Exceeding 2011 Goals
From the press release Asheville, N.C., February 16, 2012— On Saturday, March 3, at 10:00 AM, the Operation Christmas Child Blue Ridge volunteer team will celebrate the exceeding of all goals locally, regionally and nationally for successful collection of gift filled shoe boxes during the 2011 National Collection Week in November, at the Asheville First […]
Warren Wilson to hire 10 faculty members for next academic year
From the Warren Wilson Echo: The administration aims to hire 10 new faculty members for next year. Departments in search of new teachers include Art, Biology, Business, Creative Writing, Chemistry, Environmental Policy, Political Science, Religion, Physics and Social Work. “I don’t think this will be an easy decision, but it’s the good kind of difficult […]
Thirsty Monk among top-50 Southern bars on Garden & Gun’s list
Charleston (SC) magazine Garden & Gun listed Asheville’s Thirsty Monk among its top-50 Southern bars. The Monk was among three bars listed under “Draft Houses”: After Barry Bialik opened his extraordinary Belgian beer pub in an evocatively dark basement, he soon discovered monks weren’t the only ones making great beer. The Thirsty Monk still pours […]
Has Ghost Town found its heroine? Maggie Valley resident hopes to revive amusement park
Smoky Mountain News has the story on Ghost Town’s possible rebirth: Tears gathered in Alaska Presley’s eyes as she moved one step closer to attaining a Maggie Valley icon that has remained close to her heart but out of her possession for more than 50 years. Surrounded by supporters, former Ghost Town employees and her […]
Harrah’s donates $2,000 to Mountain Mediation Services
From the press release: CHEROKEE, N.C., (February 16, 2012) -Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel recently donated $2,000 to Mountain Mediation Services. This donation will help people in Western North Carolina communities settle conflicts and is part of the Community Relations Giving Strategy and partnership with Mountain Mediations. Mountain Mediation Services promotes peace and collaborative resolution […]
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company screens “The Bodyguard” for free
In honor of the pop-singer Whitney Houston’s death, the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company at 675 Merrimon Ave. will screen “The Bodyguard,” a 1992 film starring Houston and Kevin Costner. The film is free and will be shown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16. The Citizen-Times has a bit more:
Jackson County domestic violence agency shuts without warning amid irregularities
Smoky Mountain News reports: A domestic violence and sexual assault agency serving victims of abuse in Jackson County abruptly shut its doors last week after more than three decades in operation. REACH of Jackson County has been plagued for two years by an on-going funding crisis, but the sudden closure came amid questions about internal […]
Ten Commandments plaque in Newland draws fire from Freedom From Religion Foundation
The Avery Journal reports: Where do the 10 Commandments belong? According to Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of Madison, Wis., based Freedom From Religion Foundation, they do not belong on the walls of Newland Town Hall. … Town officials are still in the process of preparing a statement on the town’s position regarding the plaque.
Activist, folk punk Artist Ryan Harvey to play at Warren Wilson and Firestorm
Michael Robinson reports in the Warren Wilson Echo: When I first heard it a couple years ago, Ryan Harvey’s music politicized me. Ryan has been a member of the Riot Folk Collective, an anti-profit mutual-aid collective of radical artists and musicians, since it initially began in 2004…. Ryan will be touring the Southeast in February […]
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United releases a report about gender inequity in the food industry
On the heels of Valentine’s Day, one of the biggest days of the year for restaurants, we have this unsettling report, which we wish everyone would read. Seems that restaurant serve wages have remained the same for 20 years, a fact that most people who have worked in the business know all too well. Somehow, […]
Henderson County public schools likely to start Aug. 27
From the Times-News: Henderson County public schools that follow the traditional calendar are likely to start classes on Aug. 27, though the school board is still waiting to hear whether state officials will require 185 instructional days in the 2012-13 school year. School board members on Monday approved two proposed calendars for the 2012-13 Early […]
Gun control scholar to speak at WCU on March 5
From the press release: CULLOWHEE – Gun control scholar Gary Kleck will speak at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, in the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom on the campus of Western Carolina University. Kleck will review research in the field of gun control in his presentation “Guns and Violence: Good Guys vs. Bad Guys,” which […]
Win Bassett to head NC Brewers Guild
According to the Raleigh News and Observer, The N.C. Brewers Guild named a new executive director this week: Win Bassett, a former Wake County assistant district attorney. Bassett, a longtime craft beer enthusiast and founder of ncbrewing.org, said he will focus on legislative efforts as the state’s burgeoning craft beer industry looks to grow stronger. […]
Neurologist identifies NC Senate leader’s health condition
From the Times-News: A neurologist treating Marc Basnight has identified the former North Carolina Senate leader’s chronic health condition as a motor neuron disease that affects his brain stem, making it difficult for him to speak. Basnight, a Dare County Democrat, is diagnosed with what’s called progressive bulbar palsy, which affects nerves down to the […]
Park Ridge Health to offer free 8-week class about how to live a healthy life
From the press release: Park Ridge Health wants you to live healthier, happier and with less stress. That’s why we are offering the free CREATION Health series class to the public. The eight-week series will take place on Tuesday evenings from March 6 to April 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Wellness […]
Number of candidates for Henderson County sheriff grows to 12
From the Times-News: Two additional candidates for Henderson County sheriff applied to the county Republican Party this morning, before the selection committee deadline of 10 a.m. The final two applicants are Bill Fishburne and Ronnie Edwards, selection committee Chairman Andrew Riddle said. The field of candidates now stands at 12.
Civitas Institute Presents: Free Market Academy Asheville: Economics in One Lesson
Here’s the press release from the Buncombe County Republican Party: Civitas Institute Presents: Free Market Academy Asheville: Economics in One Lesson Sign up Free Market Academy Asheville. Date: March 13, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM When: Tuesday, March 13, 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Where: Skyland Fire Department 9 Miller Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 […]
New York Magazine covers Asheville in its travel section
(Photo: Courtesy of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau) “Home to the annual electronic-music festival Moogfest, this progressive spot in the heart of the Smoky Mountains boasts a thriving arts and music scene year-round,” says “New York Magazine” in its travel feature, “The Five-Point Weekend Escape Plan: Go Alternative in Asheville.” While to-do suggestions begin […]
Ellen Frost files for commissioner candidacy with family by her side
Here’s the press release from the Frost campaign (photo also courtesy of the campaign): Tuesday afternoon, three generations were present when Ellen Frost filed for candidacy to become a Buncombe county commissioner. Frost was joined at the board of elections by both her daughter Liz and grand-daughter Lexi. Frost wanted to share this outstanding moment […]