HOWL!

A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the publication of Allen Ginsberg's book as well as the American book launch for the 2005 publication of The Baby Beat Generation (The 1970s San Francisco Renaissance)

• What: A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl.”
• When: 8 p.m. today
• Where: Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 56 Broadway, Asheville, NC
• Tickets: $7, $5 center members and students
• Also: The American book launch of “Baby Beat Generation”
• More: 350-8484, bmcmac@bellsouth.net
• On the Net: Read the poem at www.pangloss.com/seidel/Ramble/howl.shtml

See link for poets that will be reading tonight and add'l info.
Link
Psychedelic 60s - Black Mountain Poets

Visit To Asheville

Gwinnet Daily Post in Georgia visits Asheville and has delightful things to say about it.


My last visit to Asheville was in the early 1990s, and I never would have imagined what it would become in the year 2005: a breathtaking community filled with artists' studios, restaurants, bistros, shops, nightclubs and, of course, eclectic bookshops like Malaprop's.

Who knew this once-hidden outpost in western North Carolina's landscape would be the center of a strong concentration of creativity and beauty? Nowhere in the Southeast can you find this much class, style and culture.

[MORE »]

Communal Living - CoHousing

Interested in an Intentional Community? Earthaven Ecovillage and Southern Dharma are a few communities in our area.

The Practice Community at Southern Dharma (PCSD) is an intentional sangha or practice community developed adjacent to Southern Dharma Retreat Center (SDRC) where individuals with a spiritual practice can live, retreat, study and meditate with the support of others.

The PCSD consists of ten sites or "holdings" that are divided into three clusters along the Dharma Path. Seven of the ten holdings are now owned. These holdings consist of five completed cabins, one pre-existing cabin, and one cabin under construction this Fall 2005.
Link
* * * * * * * *
Earthaven Ecovillage is an aspiring ecovillage in a mountain forest setting near Asheville, North Carolina. We are dedicated to caring for people and the Earth by learning, living, and demonstrating a holistic, sustainable culture.

Since 1995, we have grown to 60 full members--from young children to a great-grandmother--and we expect to grow to 150 people. We are building homes in 14 neighborhoods and developing on-site businesses as part of our own village-scale economy.
Link
* * * * * * * *
Zendik (zendik.org) moved a few years ago to West Virginia, but there's also the Westwood Cohousing Community, and Zim Zam Intentional Community.

Blue Mountain Schoolhouse

Not so long ago, the traditional one-room schoolhouse was the heart and soul of community education in America. With a couple of changes, it still is.

The one-room schoolhouse brought students of all ages, all skill levels together – to learn together. That’s the idea behind Blue Mountain Schoolhouse, a return to community-based education. Through independent workshops and classes, teachers offer one-on-one training in fine art, crafts, trades, healing arts, and spiritual disciplines.

Blue Mountain Schoolhouse is a Western North Carolina teacher cooperative made up of a small administrative staff and an unlimited faculty drawn from the community. It’s a return to natural community-based education.

Link

Asheville Elects First African-American Mayor

After thanking a list of Asheville’s African-American pioneers, Democrat Terry Bellamy said the election results show she has a clear mandate that includes:

• Creating more jobs that pay a living wage.

• Increasing housing that working people can afford.

• Keeping students from dropping out of school

• Reducing drug usage and improving public safety.

"It is my goal to leave Asheville in a better position than I have found it," Bellamy said.

She's generating a lot of excitement and hope. Truly great news for Asheville.

Link

Bhagavan Das

Virato of Virato Live radio program on The Revolution, 880 AM, enjoys a lay back rap with Bhagavan Das Saturday, November 5, 11:00 AM - Noon EST, the first American to live with the acknowledged saint Neem Karoli Baba and was the catalyst for the many westerners that followed on a similar journey to the East in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Born in America, and definitely not of Indian extraction (he was a California surfer), he spent six continuous years in India and Nepal. In fact, he was the person who introduced Dr. Richard Albert to Neem Karoli Baba, who gave Albert the name Ram Dass

While there he studied Hinduism and Buddhism, living the life of a sadhu (ascetic renunciate). During those years, he received numerous initiations and teachings from living Masters including Karmapa, Dudjom Rinpoche, Lama Kalu, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Anandamayi Ma.

Back in America, Bhagavan Das met and began working with the likes of poet Alan Ginsburg and Zen spiritualist Alan Watts among others. He also made friends was with many in the pop music world. It was during this time that Bhagavan Das was introduced to Jimi Hendrix’s manager Michael Jeffries who arranged for him to record in the legendary Electric Ladyland studios.

Those sessions led to his first album entitled AH. AH is one of the earliest recordings in what would be known as "world music". And today, Bhagavan Das is quoted as being "the Jimi Hendrix of Kirtan masters."

Bhagavan Das has opened for The Grateful Dead, and performed with Bob Dylan, Madonna and many other musical celebrities.

If you want to feel and hear Virato chanting with this icon you need to buy the CD...

Asheville: The Top 25

How do we love North Carolina's favorite mountain town? Brad Tuttle counts the way in no particular order. For Example---

6. The banned-book list at Malaprop's

In addition to titles of gay, lesbian, and transgender interest--and separate sections for graphic novels and local writers and poets--this very independent bookstore has several shelves of books currently banned by schools and libraries around the country. Gone With the Wind, Lord of the Flies, Hamlet, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and a few of the Harry Potter titles are all on someone's no-no list. Several times a week, the bookstore-and-café hosts author readings and live music. The bulletin board where locals post events, jobs, and solicitations is absolutely worth a look. One recent flyer read: 2chix lawn care--support the women's movement. 55 Haywood St., 828/254-6734.

I found this list to be quit handy for both visitors and natives.

Link

After debunking right-wing propaganda in his bestselling books, Al Franken took the fight to America's airwaves on Air America Radio. Now he's bringing his fearlessly irreverent commentary, comedy, and interviews to Asheville.

On Wednesday, November 30th, The Al Franken Show will be broadcast live from Thomas Wolfe Auditorium here in Asheville, NC.

Link

Coven Oldenwilde

Asheville's 11th Annual Public Witch Ritual will be celebrated Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, from 8-10 p.m., at French Broad River Park in West Asheville. Circle with Southeast Pagans, Witches, and our local Hispanic community at Coven Oldenwilde's popular, powerful, family-friendly religious rite! Link

Asheville Fall Color

Asheville's tourist season is in full swing. People from all over the world come to view the changing leaves each fall. Best viewing time is primarily between October 15 - 25, I've decided, after living here all my life. It's still very nice a week before and a week after. Here are a few websites to help with chosing your fall leaves touring route.

The Explore Asheville website is the handbook on Leaf Reports for our area. And you can see more of the beautiful fall report when viewing these
Blue Ridge Parkway photos.

It's actually beautiful everywhere you look; especially during the fall and anytime on the Parkway.

Any Way You Like It

Asheville's old marketing slogan was "Land of Sky," a motto that touted its mountain beauty.

As of Tuesday, the new slogan is "any way you like it," a motto that touts the city's acceptance of the unconventional.

Beginning next winter, TV spots will air in Atlanta, Charlotte and Orlando, showing skinny-dipping seniors in mountain streams and mountain bikers careening down the grand staircase at Biltmore House.

Travel magazines will show traffic signs that urge pedestrians to skip rather than walk or "Stop and Smell the Cappuccino."

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority spent two years and $200,000 researching Asheville's image before unveiling a new logo and TV spots Tuesday.

"For many years, Asheville positioned itself as a hub destination in the mountains where you go to all these attractions. But as the market became more cluttered and consumers more sophisticated, that message didn't resonate," said Herman Turk, general manager of the Asheville Renaissance Hotel and chairman of the TDA.

Marla Tambellini, director of marketing for the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the city needed to go behind its superficial identity.

"We need to go beyond the physical attractions and find the emotional connection," she said. "What do visitors experience when they visit here?"

The TDA will spend $1.7 million for an ad campaign starting next February to promote Asheville as a unique destination where anyone can find a personal adventure.

"We did think outside the box," said Leslie MacInnis of Cramer-Krasselt, the TDA's new ad agency based in Orlando, Fla. "This campaign will stand out for the community, but hey, this is a standout community, what can I say. This town can deliver on the promise. When you come on an Asheville vacation, anything can happen."

Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

Katuah Sudbury School

Katuah Sudbury School will be opening Wednesday, October 5th at the Unity Center in Fletcher. Sudbury schools are completely democratic and believe in the individual's innate wisdom to choose. For children 5 - 17.

To get more info on Asheville's new school go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AshevilleSudbury or visit their website at http://www.katuahsudbury.org/

Located in South Asheville, looks like another great educational option added to the progressive mix.

Asheville Pagan Pride Day

There IS a Pagan Pride celebration here this weekend and it's being held at the university, UNC-Asheville. I had previsouly read the date wrong. Diotima Mantineia, associate editor of The Witches’ Voice (www.witchvox.com), will speak on “Confessions of a Dirt Worshipper: At the Interface of Science and Magic,” about how she reconciled her training as a scientist with her belief in magic.

Participants will also be talking about the 11th annual observation of Samhain, the pagan new year celebration Oct. 31, at the French Broad River Park.

Asheville’s 2005 Pagan Pride Day is being sponsored by CERES (Cosmic Connections and Ancient Journeys).

Link

OrganicFest

OrganicFest 2005 on September 10, is a celebration of everything organic! A FUNtastic day of live music, dancing, drawings for baskets of fabulous organic goodies and gift certificates, free organic samples and giveaways, an Organicfest Market on the Square featuring the finest organic: food and refreshments, clothing, herbs, flowers and natural arts and crafts. Informative conversation and help with organic living, organic gardening, and more. Fun activities for kids including the Organicfest Garden Parade at 1pm. Join the celebration on Saturday, September 10th from 10am to 6pm in Pack Square, downtown Asheville!

Link

POWWOW

The T.o.u.c.h. Samadhi
2nd Annual Arts and Music Festival

One Who Has Visions
Autumn Equinox - Sept. 23 - 25, 2005
Deerfields - Asheville, NC

www.touchsamadhi.com

Link

Mellow Mushroom

There is a popular restaurant in the middle of downtown Asheville, called the
Mellow Mushroom.

It's main attraction besides their delicious pizza is their sidewalk cafe. A prime spot for people watching and meeting friends for a leisurely lunch or a few tasty beers. Here is a picture of the restaurant. Longtime residents will know this as the old Stone Soup.

This wall surrounds the courtyard and was found at Zen's Flickr website, who's always got good local photos.

Ceremony for Pack Square Park

Everyone is invited to the festive groundbreaking ceremony for Pack Square Park on Thursday, August 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. We’ll be set up in Park Square and City-County Plaza in the heart of downtown Asheville.

The groundbreaking will be a wonderful day to celebrate the beginning of construction on a park that will become a beautiful gathering space for generations to come. Join us for live music, refreshments, games, door prizes, actors in historic costume and a special bulldozer ballet. The park site will be decorated with hot-air balloons, weather permitting, and volunteers will be on hand to discuss park plans and special features such as original art, fountains, the park pavilion and the main stage.

It's such a magical spot now, I hope the 4.5 million renovation is able to keep some of the character is currently maintains.

[More...]

Hookah Joe's

ASHEVILLE - The scent of flowers and fruit floats in the air along Coxe Avenue. Where is this wave of blended aromas coming from?

Not from the dancing drummers at Pritchard Park or the patchouli-laden hippies padding the street. It's coming from around the corner at Hookah Joe's, a downtown nightspot Hookah Joe's is now located at 38 N French Broad Ave, Asheville NC 28801, (under Club Hairspray), the first Asheville club devoted to the hookah.

A hookah is a water pipe that originated in Turkey hundreds of years ago. It's not for traditional tobacco; instead, customers smoke a mixture of tobacco and molasses or shisha, that is available in various flavors.

[More...]

**UPDATE: address updated November 7, 2007 - thanks, Seanna!**

Chinese Acupuncture Clinic

The Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic has the largest and most comprehensive herbal apothecary in the South Eastern US.

Our practitioners provide formulas & teas specifically prepared for each patient.

Link

keep asheville weird bumper sticker

keep asheville weird bumper sticker
Originally uploaded by zen���.

seen @ flickr

The Artwork of John Lennon

In between transatlantic trips last week, Yoko Ono talked to Xpress about When I'm Sixty-Four: The Artwork of John Lennon will make a three-day stop at the Haywood Park Hotel in Asheville, NC.

His drawings are about peace, love and family. But the late singer's works – though not executed on gessoed canvases – are far from uninformed. In fact, before the former Beatle was a musician, he was an art student.

Link

Capricorn Full Moon Gathering

Capricorn Full Moon Gathering
This event will take place at Pumpkin Hollow in Tennessee.

The full moon will be the final evening of a week-long celebration of the longest day and shortest night, of the summer solstice and the full moon, of balancing the male and female and the in-between...

The festival, "Higher Fire", will be from Friday afternoon June 17 through Wednesday June 22, 2005. The Full Moon Gathering will take place Tuesday, June 21st - Wednesday, June 22nd.

Music, ritual, food, games, films, song, storytelling, mudpeople, lake swims, and more...more information coming soon.

Link

Out In Asheville

Out In Asheville
is a popular monthly newspaper is now online. It's a warm and comprehensive resource for the GLBT community and serves WNC, upstate SC, and the Southeast.

Some of the area nitelife is featured. Listen to jazz by the fireplace in a large comfy chair at or try out the Oxyben bar at Tressa's; visit all three dance floors at Scandals, sing karaoke at Club Hairspray; or visit the oldest gay bar in NC, O'Henry's, where they'll crown Miss Gay Asheville 2006 next month. Lots going on in this town.

Link

White Squirrel Festival

The 2nd Annual White Squirrel Festival
May 28th & 29th, 2005 Brevard, North Carolina

If you thought last year's White Squirrel Festival was nutty, wait until this years!

Link

Iraq Wall - A Peace Park

We are building a wall listing the names, ages, and hometowns of our young people dying in the Iraq War.

There is a ban on photographing their coffins when they arrive at Dover AFB, and no high officials attend their funerals. Politicians will not note their deaths, fearing the inevitable public backlash.

The American public opposes this war, but US policy is not determined by public opinion.

So, our young people die. The corporations profit. We sacrifice the youth of our nation in a pre-emptive war for oil, corporate greed, and world domination.

With every death, we will add another stone. It is our hope that public outrage grows along with the wall.

Peace Park Project

Asheville Poetry Review

Asheville Poetry Review is a biannual literary journal that publishes 160–200 pages of poems, interviews, translations, essays, historical perspectives and book reviews. Nicely done.

Asheville Goth Community

The 5th Circle
This is one of Asheville's online Gothic communities. Their forum is quite busy.

Asheville Osho Celebration

Asheville Osho Celebration

First Annual Mountain Osho Celebration - July 16-23. Meditations, discourses, excursions, parties, camping, intimacy, white water rafting, mountain alone retreat time, tantra event...and more!

Sannyasins from all over the world. Premsager Osho Meditation Center, Asheville, NC, and Osho Dharmadip in nearby Lake Lure.

For more info:
Contact Ma Amina
Email: aminadevi@yahoo.com
Phone: 828-296-7379

Asheville Naked Bike Ride

World Naked Bike Ride - Same as last year!

Protest the occupation/war in Iraq, gas prices and the suppression of our freedoms!

Asheville Naked Bike Ride leaves the French Broad Food Co-Op, on Biltmore Ave., SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 12:30 PM (gathering at Noon) and goes north to Asheville Pizza & Brewing on Merrimon Ave. Most of the ride is ok with a little hilly area around Chestnut St. on Merrimon. Ride As Bare As You Dare!. . . Be There or Be Square!

Bring flyers, signs, and anything else...paint you body or whatever...

This is a leaderless event and this is the final message to be sent.

PASS THE WORD!! It's approximately 2 miles...much of it downhill.

via: Naked Bike Group

Radio Interview On The Street

CBS News dubbed Asheville, North Carolina, America's "New Age Mecca." So, Virato takes to this town's sidewalks to talk to the people (in his jovial, yet penetrating way). If you have something to say about the show, or this area's expanding consciousness, call Virato 828-254-6620 before Monday, May 16 at 10 AM, and tell him what you would like to chat about.

On Monday, May 16, he'll be at:

* Bean Streets Cafe, 10-10:30 AM
* French Broad Food Co-op, 11-11:30 AM
* Max & Rosie's Cafe, Noon-1 PM
* Cosmic Connections, 3-3:30 PM
* Malaprop's, 4-4:30 PM
* Mystic Journeys, 5-6 PM
* KarmaSonics, 7-7:30 PM
* Old Europe Cafe, 8:30 PM

...and other downtown locations with 880 AM The Revolution microphone in hand on Monday and Tuesday.

Looking For Asheville Jobs?

* Asheville Citizen-Times - Subclassification Search Form
* CitizenTimes - CareerBuilder
* Asheville Help Wanted - Job Posting, Recruiting and Resumes
* IWANNA
* ESC NC Individual Services NC Job Bank (Employment Office)
* Snag-a-Job
* Local Jobs
* Asheville Job Board (new)

I have previously searched these sites and found good leads.

Lake Edens Art Festival

Lake Eden Arts Festival is a big shindig thrown twice a year in Black Mountain, just outside of Asheville, NC. Huge grounds with swimming and camping facilities. A wonderful, sensual, spirited, peaceful, gathering of souls where you can have anything from a chinese massage to acupuncture. You can watch the belly dancers, or do a one and a half off the diving board. Have your tarot read, get some henna for your hands, take a hike, do yoga, browse the crafts & jewlery aisles, watch a concert or a poetry slam.

LEAF Festival is May 13-15

Earth Day

Gaea "the Deep-Breasted One", is the ancient Greek Goddess of the Earth, considered by Hesiod "the oldest of divinities". She was said to be the child of Ether (Air) and Hemera (Day), though some said She was born directly from Chaos with Eros (Love) and Nyx (Night).

Asheville Earth Day is being celebrated today. Check the link for details.

Scorpio Full Buddha Moon

Scorpio Full Buddha Moon @ Deerfield's Saturday, April 23. Asheville Full Moon Gatherings are a free gift to the community. With your help, we are creating a gift-based culture.

Asheville Pollen Chart

* sneezing
* clear and watery nasal discharge and congestion
* itchy eyes, nose, and throat
* watery eyes

See how your area fares with pollen. Pollen Chart for Asheville. Check the pollen in YOUR area. (Canada, too.)

Free Radio Asheville

I'm finally able to get the streaming Free Radio Asheville here on my pc in Hendersonville.

FFC license? Who needs it. Commercials? Surely, you jest. Kick-ass music? 24/7. Take a listen.

Asheville Freecycle

Asheville Freecycle is a group on Yahoo! where you can post your FREE items for others to take off your hands, or browse yourself for a 2nd hand car, computer, or for a pet or a bookcase. Pretty busy message board. And a super idea. Freecycle is now all over the place.

Two Events Coming Up In Asheville

First.....

Secret Of Ashes: The Phoenix Reborn
Apr 01 to 02 - Asheville, NC

Building on an old Ukranian folktale, this Eastern dance and music company has created a multi- media theatrical ballet that combines live music, dance, and theatre into a unique World Fusion Faerie Tale. Suitable for children of all ages.

Time: Three Shows Only FRI. 7pm & SAT. 7 & 9PM -
Location: Asheville Community Theatre 35 East Walnut Street
URL: www.barakamundi.com
Contact: online reservations at www.akariproductions.org info line=825-252-4798
Cost: $15.00 Adults $10.00 Students/Children

And Next.....

Smilefest 2005 is a Memorial Day weekend concert (May 27-29) at Deerfields in Mills River, NC, near the Asheville airport. Anything at Deerfields is guaranteed to be a blast.

Tommy Chong Interview Saturday

--From Asheville, NC
Virato's Radio Show Notes - On 880-The Revolution, April 2, the radio show will be Cannabis: Health, Economics, and the Law. With local hemp activist, Ukiah, Executive Director of NORML, Allen St. Pierre, High Times editor, Steve Bloom, Marti DeWolfe, a 13 year veteran Texas cop, Lester Grinspoon, MD, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Medical School...and Tommy Chong! Looks like it'll be a great show.

6:00 AM Easter Sunrise Services At The Park

Chimney Rock Park in North Carolina is located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, offers the best of the mountains in one place-spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, Nature Center, Native Plant Nursery, a variety of special events and much more.

Sunday, March 27, will be the 50th Anniversary of their Easter Egg Hunt and Sunrise Services which begin at 6:00 am and those interested in attending the service should arrive early, dress warmly, and bring a flashlight.

Asheville Full Moon Gatherings

Asheville Full Moon Gatherings
Our next event will be Friday, March 25th to celebrate the Full Moon in Libra and the Sun in Aries.  This event will start again with "Opening the Body Yoga" led by Mike Greenfield at 7pm.  The event takes place at Studio 9, at 147 W. Haywood St. (by Riverside Dr.)

Iraq War Anniversary - Asheville Vigil

This coming weekend will mark two years since the U.S.-led bombing and invasion of Iraq began. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found; no compelling reason for the war was ever given. Yet more than 1500 U.S. soldiers have been killed, more than 11,000 wounded; 100,000 Iraqis are dead, and the country remains gripped by horrifying violence, with no end in sight.

All over the United States, and all around the world, people will be converging through the March 18-20 weekend to protest the war and occupation, mourn the losses, and demand immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. More than 365 activities in at least 45 states are already listed on our calendar at http://www.unitedforpeace.org.

Or, to find a vigil near you, just go to: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=654 . Local - City County Plaza, Downtown College and Market Streets Asheville, March 20, 2005, @ 02:00 PM A rally for peace and social justice to mark the second aniversary of the war in Iraq. There will be speakers, musicians, poets, tables. A walk will follow the rally. [more...]

Sheville!

Today I spotlight Sheville, a new website just getting started that is a woman's companion to Asheville.

Progressive Radio In Asheville

There are two newish radio programs around town that I've been enjoying lately. The first one is Progressive Talk Radio on the 880-AM called 880 The Revolution. And the other one is the Progressive Voice Of The Mountains, WPVM.org @ 103.5-FM.

Asheville eBay

I saw a link for the Asheville eBay store in the Mountain Xpress paper today and looked into it. If you live in the Asheville area, you can take your items to these experienced eBay sellers, and they will photograph and upload pictures of your items to their store on eBay and deal with potential buyers. They ask for 25% of the sale price. May be beneficial to some area folks.