Activist Clare Hanrahan

Activist Clare Hanrahan may leave the front lines, but her voice still rings out - by Jason Sandford, Citizen-Times

In her younger days, she marched with garbage workers in Memphis, Tenn., in the wake of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

She has shaken her fist at the front gates of bomb-making factories. She has chanted with immigrants demanding fair treatment. She has stood silent vigil with women advocating for an end to war.

And she once trespassed on the grounds of the Fort Benning, Ga., military base, home to a military training school commonly known as the School of the Americas — an offense for which she spent six months in federal prison in 2002.

“At one point in my life, I thought if I screamed loud enough and worked hard enough and was unrelenting in my kind of advocating and demanding, I could make change,” Hanrahan said.

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Great story on a true peace warrior from Asheville.

Warren Haynes' Annual Xmas Jam

WARREN HAYNES PRESENTS: THE TWENTIETH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS JAM

(Asheville, NC) --For the past 20 years, Warren Haynes has coordinated his annual Christmas Jam. Like a family reunion, the annual, one-of-a-kind, semi-structured marathon of music brings together old friends on stage and in the audience at the Civic Center Arena in Asheville, N.C. for one of the countries greatest live events. The London Times has rated it "One of the top ten concerts in the USA."

"Christmas Jam started 20 years ago as an opportunity for local musicians to jam at the one time of year they were all in town at the same time. Back then, we gave the money to whatever charity we felt like. As the event grew and we became aware of Habitat For Humanity, we settled on them because we believe in the organization and know the money goes where its supposed to."

Featuring:
Steve Miller Band
The Warren Haynes Band
Gregg Allman
John Bell (Widespread Panic)
Umphrey's McGee
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Missing Cats

twitter | facebook

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Dancing Santa - B-boy Santa Sneak Attack in Asheville

A dancing Santa b-boy is on the loose in Asheville, North Carolina and he's looking to start a hip hop, break dance holiday flash mob. Did he succeed? Watch him sneak up and surprise visitors with head spins, flares and seriously fresh break dancing moves at the Pritchard Park Drum Circle, Pack Square, Asheville Visitors Center, Lexington Avenue Brewery, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, National Gingerbread House Competition, The Orange Peel and America's Largest Home, Biltmore.

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Santacon in Asheville

Looks like they had so much fun, doesn't it?

Santacon, or Santarchy is a huge global success and Asheville participates, too.

In 2009, 2008, 2007, and now we had one this year over the weekend. (link below)

There are rumors of another TWO more Santacons scheduled in Asheville for this year. Either somebody needs to do a better job of organizing this damn thing or I should research this a bit further. If I find any more details I'll add them to this post.

For more on the story and to see many more photos, see this Link

Tango in Asheville with Karen Jaffe

Karen offers other classes throughout the year. Watch for weekend Intro courses, and Special Seminars with Karen a a variety of partners from around the SE , teaching here in Asheville and also all over the SE region throughout the year.



Karen is available for group and private lessons, as well as performances.

See website @ Tango Gypsies | Yahoo! Group

Freaks of Asheville Calendar

Freaks of Asheville 2011. Buy your calendar NOW!

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Asheville Zombiewalk 10/10/10!

Asheville Zombiewalk - Come out this SUNDAY! Check links for more details.

Location:Downtown Asheville Pizza and Brewing and the streets of Downtown Asheville
Time:6:00PM Sunday, October 10th

Link | Facebook | YouTube

Verve Asheville

Our October issue should be out around town tomorrow! In the meantime, check out this behind-the-scenes album from our "Rock 'n Roll Couture" photo shoot. Shots by Stewart O'Shields, styling by Dema Badr, makeup by Mendy Hoffman and Scott Thompson, and hair by Gretchen Pheffer.

VERVE is Western North Carolina’s smartest magazine for women. Our sassy, sophisticated readers love our bimonthly publication for its stunning photography and riveting feature stories—which provide an in-depth look at Western North Carolina women in the arts, business, fashion and design.

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Activist Community Potluck

5-8pm, Sunday September 19
Malvern Hills Park
Asheville, NC

This is the first of many monthly potlucks, each on a different topic, and each in a different location. All activists, community builders and leaders, and any community members are welcome. This is a great opportunity to get together, build relationships, network, share ideas, brainstorm, and synergize.

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Asheville Octoberfest

October 9, 2010

On the 200th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest, the Asheville Downtown Association is proud to bring you Asheville's own Oktoberfest! One of the highlights of the event will be the Brewery Team Contests! Asheville Brewing Co., Craggie, French Broad, Green Man, Highland and Pisgah will each field a four person team for team contests held throughout the day!

Contests will include:

* Keg-Rolling
* Stein Races
* Dizzy Gnome
* Bratwurst Eating Contest
* Alphorn Blowing Contest

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Asheville from a Chicago Point of View, ahem...

I saw this on Ashvegas and just had to know more about another article on Asheville from an outsider. sigh...

and it dared to call itself:

Asheville, home of hillbilly progressives.

Click the link below if you've already had your nerve pills or your heart medication today. These pieces on Asheville tend to make this ol' hillbilly a might riled up. [/sarcasm]

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Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Join us Saturday, August 28th from 3-5pm for Mingling for Mutts, benefiting Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Wine and beer tastings by Winestyles and Thirsty Monk, appetizers by Frankie Bones, Green Tea Sushi, and Rita’s Ice.

Live music by Scott Lelii, awesome raffle prizes, and pets for adoption. Bring your (well-mannered) dog! Held in Gerber Village off Hendersonville Road, South Asheville. Three wine or beer tastings or appetizers for $5.

We are proud to have the largest NO-KILL shelter in Asheville. Please stop by and visit with some of the wonderful cats and dogs, kittens and puppies awaiting adoption. We're open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

DOGS
Phone (828) 808-9435
Email dogadoptions@bwar.org

CATS
Phone (828) 702-6130
Email catadoptions@bwar.org

It really takes a special kind of person to do this type of work. Sending blessings to everyone involved at BWAR. And the next time you are looking to adopt a pet, please consider Brother Wolf. They are right off Tunnel Road. Mutts make great, loving pets and if you're looking for a specific breed, 25% of their pets are purebred. Jot down these numbers or email.

DAY OF ACTION - Saturday

Evolver Asheville, Transition Asheville and Ashevillage Institute are hosting a DAY OF ACTION!!!!

10am-5pm GETTING OUR HANDS DIRTY
At the Ashevillage Institute (directions below)
...
Bring a bag lunch and tools (wheel barrows, shovels, hard rakes, garden trowels, gloves, sneakers, weed whacker, buckets, tarps)

7-9pm FORMING ACTION ALLIANCES
Firestorm Cafe, 48 Commerce Street, Asheville, 28801

Creative Collaboration on future projects by individuals and organizations from Urban crop-mobbing to co-sponsored film screenings to anything we can dream up together... Bring your ideas and enthusiasm!!!

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Amy Sedaris is coming back to Asheville

So who doesn't love North Carolina born Amy Sedaris? First let me just state that besides our alternative weekly magazine, Mountain Xpress bringing us all the goods each week, they ALSO keep their awesome, newsworthy website updated. You can sign up and comment there as well. And that's where I saw this article on Amy Sedaris. (via)

Amy has a new book out: Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People and, according to her book tour dates she’ll be at Malaprop’s on Friday, Nov. 12. Yay!

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TEDxAsheville

Ideas are the nexus of our future. Some of us are dreamers some of us are doers. Those who speak at a TEDxAsheville event have lived in both worlds and excelled. come hear themshare their ideas worth spreading.

Sunday August 29th, The Orange Peel

"The Last American Man" EUSTACE CONWAY
along with:
Percussionist RIVER GUERGUERIAN
Innerpreneur JOHN MILES
Activist LAURIE MASTERSON
Songwriter BILLY JONAS
Filmmaker ANGELA SHELTON
and many more!

Link | Facebook

Valet Gourmet — formerly known as Blue Ridge To Go — makes some positive changes

from the website - "Our service is very simple. We provide delivery from over 25 of your favorite Asheville restaurants to homes, businesses, hotels and most other places people want delivery."

Kenan Hopkins opened shop in 2003. They deliver from Asheville's best restaurants and they also have a large delivery area. This re-vamp of their successful business will bring about sustainability in the food delivery service.

I've used them many times and I will say that they are fast, affordable, and reliable. (photo by Jonathan Welch from Mountain Xpress)

via | Link

PRAMA INSTITUTE

Holistic Education for People and Place

The Prama Institute is a conference and retreat center located on forested hilltops and grasslands surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. It sits in Marshall, NC, near the French Broad River, about 25 minutes outside Asheville, NC. Our scenic and peaceful surroundings create the perfect place for educational conferences, yoga retreats, workplace seminars, and other events.

Besides the high-quality conferences that the Prama Institute organizes all year round, the facility is also available for rent to all types of groups, organizations, and businesses. Our experienced staff is available to offer you assistance with event planning, marketing, and registration. Let us assist you in creating your own successful workshop or seminar.

JULY 23 - 25

Blissful Path to Bliss - Yoga and Meditation Retreat with Stephanie and Michael Johnson

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French Broad Chocolates

Simply the best chocolate in Asheville. Located downtown on Lexington Ave.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

2005: Birth first baby (Sam) in the apartment above the restaurant. Realize they’re not beach people. Learn about theobroma cacao from Marcos, the artisanal cacao farmer down the road. Start to play with chocolate recipes. Get hitched, legitimizing their bastard son.

2006: Sell Bread and Chocolate to a young buck (younger than Dan!) from Baltimore. Repatriate, in same school bus, newly ordained missionaries of chocolate. Move to Asheville, preggers once again. Start French Broad Luscious Chocolates.

2007: Hone their chocolate repertoire. Birth Max at our house in West Asheville. Sell chocolates at tailgate markets, Earth Fare and on the interweb. Write a business plan at Mountain BizWorks for a retail location.

2008: Open French Broad Chocolate Lounge February 2. Open seven days a week, we haven’t been closed since.



photo credits: Christopher Shane

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Local Buskers and Street Performers

Some local street performers Around Asheville this weekend were captured by some of our area photo bloggers. Lots of talented folks around here and super surroundings just waiting to be captured and shared.

Derek Olson Photography

Through The Lens

Found via Mountain Xpress

Firefly Gathering

July 22-25, 2010

The Firefly Gathering is for people seeking to deepen and expand their connection with the natural world.

There will be over 100 classes available focusing on self-sufficiency and wilderness skills taught by over 40 masterful teachers from around the region and country.

It offers learning for adults and children, evening entertainment, and on-site camping.

Firefly will be held at Camp Pinnacle, a little over a half an hour from Asheville, NC. Rustic Camp Pinnacle has a beautiful 18 acre lake, many covered areas, plenty of camping, cabins, and showers. If it is hot we have a lake to swim and canoe in, if it is rainy we have plenty of shelter.

Register Now!

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Asheville Community Hoop Jam in Pritchard Park

TUESDAYS

The Asheville Community Hoop Jam is held in Pritchard Park every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through the end of September. The events offer opportunities to hoop it up for fun and exercise as George Pond (Snake Oil Medicine Show) DJs. In this video, we talk to organizer Melanie MacNeil and capture some participants’ sweet moves. (Video by Jake Frankel.)

Link | More Hoop Jam

Asheville, NC Stonewall Commeration Weekend Parade #1.MOV

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when people in the homosexual community fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The Appalachian Shangri-La of Asheville, North Carolina holds an annual celebration to commemorate this historic event, with activities including speakers, dancers, workshops, and a grand parade through the downtown district, seen here. Several local non-profit organizations and companies sponsoring the event included Youth OutRight, Our Voice and the Montford Park Players.

(Video by Jeffrey DeCristofaro)

Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville

If you've not been in downtown Asheville the past year or so, you are in for a surprise. Pleasant or not, depending on your point of view.

They had to bulldoze over some lovely trees to put in lots of concrete but they did leave lots of grass and sculpture in their wake. I was so against the tearing down on one specific tree. But there is more room for live outdoor concerts, plays, picnics, and more.

And I haven't mentioned the best part yet. Smack dab in front of the old City-County Plaza is dancing water fountains. From afar it looks like a large, flat brick courtyard. But keep watching and water will begin spraying up the many spouts. Day or night will find young children and adults playing in the dancing water, which has been nicknamed, "Splashville". At night, you'll notice that the water shooting up is different colors.

The Vance Monument is still there. Behind it where the large pool of water once stood is now a beautiful 20' wide water fountain.

Pack Square Park provides a wonderful venue for events, both old and new. George Pack, who left the land to the city in 1901 specified that it only be used as a park for the people.

So, who's been? Do you like the changes downtown? Or does it suck royally? Go see for yourself in person and in the mean time, take a look at this link here and this one here.

Hands Across The Sand

Join us (Hands Across The Sand & Surfrider Foundation) in drawing a human line in the sand to protest offshore oil drilling & yes to clean energy on Saturday, June 26th, 11am at Carrier Park. 220 Amboy Road & on beaches all over U.S.A!

Please use the Carrier Park entrance with the stone gates at the intersection of Amboy & Michigan. We will be to your left.

TIME: 11am-12:30pm

PLEASE WEAR BLACK. PLEASE CAR POOL. PLEASE BRING SIGNS.

Hands Across The Sand | Twitter

Marijuana - Does Asheville need some Weed?

North Carolina NORML Chapter Inaugural Benefit Concert


Sunday, June 27, 2010, 9:00pm, The Garage at Biltmore, 101-D Fairview Rd., Asheville

Asheville attorney Jennifer Foster announces the initiation of a statewide North Carolina Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), www.norml.org, a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. No statewide chapter has existed to date.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults. This model, similar to that recommended to Congress by President Nixon's esteemed Shafer Commission in 1972, is called "decriminalization.” NORML also strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering. NORML has advocated for the legal use of medicinal marijuana since 1972. Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate the non-psychoactive strain of cannabis known as hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.

On Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 9:00 pm, The Garage at Biltmore will host a benefit concert for the forming chapter featuring Trouble with Aaron Woody Wood, Jay Sanders, Jason Flournoy, and Mike Rhodes, whose collective resume spans such influential groups as Acoustic Syndicate, The Blue Rags, Donna The Buffalo, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Hollywood Red and Shanti Groove just to name a few. Closing out the evening will be The Screaming Js, featuring Jake Hollifield (The Blue Rags), Jason Krekel (Mad Tea Party), Mike Gray (Firecracker Jazz Band), Jonathan Paul Hess (Erika Jane and Remember the Bees). A minimum donation of $10 at the door will help the forming chapter gain 501(c)(3) status and provide for initial operating expenses.

Information will be provided as to how citizens can become involved to support the pending North Carolina Medical Marijuana Act, HB 1380, and otherwise help to reform marijuana and hemp prohibition in North Carolina.

SOURCE

Firestorm Cafe & Books

Firestorm Cafe and Books is gearing up for a second anniversary celebration today, Saturday, June 5th!

These folks are super plugged in to the Asheville community and the whole damn world for that matter. They bring you good live music, book signings, readings, and more. They have an active presence on Facebook as well.

A worker-owned community event space located in Asheville at 48 Commerce Street.

Open 10am - 10pm (except Sun)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Sunday, June 6th | 4:00pm
Firestorm Orientation [meeting]

Come out to Firestorm to learn about how your local worker owned, worker operated cafe and bookstore runs and operates.


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The Spring Idiotarod: The Legendary Shopping Cart 5k returns on May 23

That's Idiot-irod! Sign your team up at raceforawesomeness.com

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It's The "All Go West" Festival

Haywood Road district gets its own festival on Saturday

The inaugural All Go West Festival in Asheville, NC is on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 from noon -10pm.

Long gone are the days when West Asheville was written off by residents as “Worst Asheville.” That frontier off Haywood Road has been settled by artists and entrepreneurs, hipsters and hippies.

This transformation into a bustling creative neighborhood is what the All Go West festival is celebrating from noon-10 p.m. Saturday.

This free street festival will be behind the Rocket Club and near Harvest Records on Waynesville Avenue, Westwood Place and Michigan Avenue in West Asheville. All Go West focuses on neighboring products featuring local art, food, beer vendors and musicians.

Exhibits and booths will showcase local Asheville artists and local nonprofits. There will be an Asheville craft beer tasting from noon-3 p.m. Tickets for the tasting are $20 advance online at www.allgowest.com or at The Rocket Club.

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The Return of Free Water Project

Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:00pm

The Garage at Biltmore
101 Fairview Rd. Suite B
Asheville

The Return of Free Water Project is a multimedia installation exploring issues surrounding the commodification of our world's water supply. We hope that you will join us at 7pm for an educational reception hosted by Ilsa Ananda Door of Creatrix Laboratories. Following the reception, at 8pm, you may mingle and dance the night away to fine local artists for the ear, eye and heart!

The Story of the Oasis…

The Oasis is a grove of trees made from the detritus of the water industry (plastic water & soda bottles, discarded PVC pipe, etc.) linked together to filter rainwater, pond water, or gray water into pure, clean water that you can drink. The Oasis is one phase of the Return of Free Water Project, an immersive, collaborative multimedia installation with the intention of helping people realize that they have the power to make a difference in our world’s water crisis by transforming their own relationship with water.

We invite you to join us in an evening of wonderful music and dance, live art, and transformation. Your donation at the door not only grants you entry to the event but helps the RoFW Project to purchase materials crucial to the timely development of this installation. Art has the powerful ability to draw people’s attention to the relevant issues of our time. When complete, the Return of Free Water will tour the Americas to spread its message to the masses.

For ideas on how you can make a positive difference, opportunities for participation, and for more information about the Project and our world’s water crisis, visit:

http://www.ReturnofFreeWater.org

7p - Reception and overview of The Return Of Free Water
8p - 5am(ish) - Music with:
LOGOS (live) http://www.logosmusic.net
Annuaki (live) http://www.touchsamadhi.com/live-acts/Annunaki
Gilbot http://www.ashevillefullmoongatherings.org
Arun - AVLFMG
Zennsie - TOUCH Samadhi
PoiZen - AVLFMG / TOUCH Samadhi

Visuals by Creatrix Laboratories & Awe Lucid http://www.awelucid.com

$10 entry 21+ to drink

Live At Moog with Amanda Palmer

YouTube via MoogMusicInc — April 14, 2010 — "Amanda Palmer & Her Nervous Cabaret Live at Moog Teaser. Catch Miss Palmers raucous performance shot live in the Moog Music Sound Studio in Asheville, NC Premiering April 21, 2010 exclusively at www.liveatmoog.com."

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Tears of Color – Abolishing: Human Trafficking

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Asheville Earth Day

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Cartoon: The Girl Gangs of Ashvegas

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Asheville Pet Friendly Restaurants

Downtown

The Laughing Seed Cafe
A completly vegetarian restaurant specializing in foods from around the world. The dishes prepared here celebrate fresh vegetables combined with all natural and predominantly organic ingredients. 828-252-3445

Carmel's Restaurant and Bar
Carmel's is already known as a destination in downtown Asheville with its Alfresco Dining, Romantic and Intimate Dining Room and Jazzy-chic Bar. Located in the Historic Grove Arcade, the exterior boosts some of the best outdoor seating — the perfect place to sit and watch Asheville go by while enjoying cocktails and some fantastic food. Executive Chef Carole Bowers invites you to Carmel's to enjoy what the Mountain Xpress called "Carmel's drop-dead gorgeous menu…" For menu details and reservations, please see our web site. (828) 252-8730

Jack of the Wood Brew Pub
Where the Smokey Mountains meet the British Isles. Handcrafted beers and wine & spirits. Located below the Laughing Seed Restaurant at 95 Patton Avenue. 828-252-5445

Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company
77 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. For pizza, brews, and entertainment, this is the place, and they offer indoor and outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. They must be under owner's control/care, and leashed or crated at all times. 828-254-1281

Cats and Dawgs
1 Page Avenue, Suite 132, Asheville, NC 28801. Specializing in all beef hot dogs and catfish sandwiches, this eatery also offers indoor or outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be well behaved, under owner's control/care, and leashed or crated at all times.
828-281-8100

KAMM'S Frozen Custard Shop
111 O'Henry Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. Located at the Grove Arcade, this creamery offers a variety of daily homemade ice creams and for those who like to build their own flavor there is "Flavor by Request". Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. Dogs must be well behaved, under owner's control at all times, leashed or crated, and cleaned up after at all times. 828-225-7200

Modesto
One Page Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. A trattoria specializing in brick wood-fired oven pizza, salads, soups, desserts, espresso coffee, wine and beer. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. Dogs must be well behaved, under owner's control at all times, leashed or crated, and cleaned up after at all times. 828-225-4133

Bouchon
62 North Lexington Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. Visitor and locals agree... Bouchon is the smart downtown destination for a cool cocktail or a great glass of wine. Staying for dinner? Experience an authentic French bistro in the "Paris of the South." Bon appetit y'all!. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. Dogs must be well behaved, under owner's control at all times, leashed or crated, and cleaned up after at all times. 828-350-1140

City Bakery Cafe
88 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Family-owned and operated bakery offering European-style organic breads and fresh pasteries, all handmade, along with organic coffee, sandwiches, pizza and salads. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. 828-254-4289

Malaprop's Bookstore & Café
55 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801. A booklover's favorite, locally as well as nationally! Great books, great food, great coffee. Live music performances and author events throughout the year. Dogs are allowed inside the book store as long as they are away from the cafe area. 828-254-6734

Marble Slab Creamery
14 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. Select the ice cream flavor and "mixins" of your choice and watch as they are mixed into your creation on a frozen marble slab. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. 828-225-5579

New French Bar Courtyard Café
12 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. A quaint European bistro with a variety of menu options specializing in crabcakes and chocolate mousse. Enjoy Sunday Brunch in the garden courtyard and nightly drink specials at the bar. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the courtyard area. 828-254-5070

Salsa
6 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. A funky blend of Mexican and Caribbean flavors, Salsa offers innovative cuisine in a unique downtown Asheville setting. All food is made fresh. Organic and vegetarian fare are available. Dogs are allowed to have their share at the outer tables only. 828-252-9805

Thai Basil - Asheville
Authentic Thai cuisine by native Thai chefs. Enjoy fabulous food surrounded by authentic handmade Thai art. Outside dining in season. Pets allowed in outdoor seating area. Located in historic Grove Arcade Market. 828-258-0036

North Asheville

Usual Suspects
North Asheville Neighborhood Bar & Restaurant. Independent and locally owned. Patio and large dining area. Relaxed atmosphere. Dynamic global menu and daily specials. Boutique wine list and temperature controlled cellar. Full liquor bar. Extensive bottled beer selection and 14 on tap. Emphasis on evolving food and beverage options. 791 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 828-350-8181

Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company
675 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804. For pizza, brews, and entertainment, this is the place, and they offer indoor and outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. They must be under owner's control/care, and leashed or crated at all times. 828-254-1281

South Asheville

Corner Stone Restaurant
Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Open seven days a week. 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM. Homemade Soups, Salads, USDA Steaks, the fines Seafood delivered and prepared daily, Pasta, Charbroiled Burgers and Fresh Daily Specials. 102 Tunnel Road. 828-236-0201

West Asheville

Westville Pub
West Asheville at 777 Haywood Road, smoke-free neighborhood pub and restaurant, featuring microbrews, imports, and domestics on tap and bottled, with a full bar. Freshly made menu items include award winning wings, grill favorites, and light to hearty meals for carnivores and vegetarians. Live music 5 nights a week. Hours 12 noon - 2 am daily.. Kitchen open 12 noon - 11 pm daily, till 1am Friday and Saturday. 828-225-9782

Sunny Point Cafe and Bakery
626 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806. This eatery and bakery specializes in using local, organic ingredients with dinner and daily specials, and indoor and outdoor dining options. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be under owner's control/care, and leashed and cleaned up after at all times. 828-252-0055

West End Bakery and Cafe
757 Haywood Road, West Asheville, North Carolina. West End Bakery and Cafe use 100% organic flour and the freshest ingredients available. Everything served at the West End is made from scratch, and whenever possible we use locally grown produce and organic products. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be under owner's control/care, and leashed and cleaned up after at all times. 828-252-WEST (9378)

East Asheville

Cafe Azalea
1011 E. Tunnel Rd. Suite. 100, Asheville, NC 28805. Breakfast includes a three-egg omelet with lobster and brie cheese and French toast stuffed with raspberry cream cheese and topped with a raspberry-orange compote. For lunch, the restaurant features paninis, fresh salads and sandwiches, including a pulled duck in molasses barbecue sauce. Dogs are allowed at the outer tables. Dogs must be under owner's control/care, and leashed and cleaned up after at all times. 828-299-3753

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Gaia's Handfasting

Handfasting is THE traditional way to marry. It reaches across nationality, religions, race, and sex. We have sold many beautiful cords to satisfied couples all around the globe.

Nestled in the mystifying mountains of Asheville NC, USA.

We specialize in beautiful hand-crafted handfasting cords custom designed to match your lifestyle.

Officiating for all types of weddings, handfastings, unions, or poly-amorous bondings.

Visit our website for more information on our cords, services, and to read our satisfied customer reviews.

Call us: Monday-Friday from 8am-7pm EST

(828)670-1768

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Joyful Belly

creates yummy, healthy recipes using Ayurveda. We're an encyclopedia of food complete with ingredients and health tips. We make it simple to enter your doshas and create a personal Ayurvedic diet online, complete with a grocery shopping list and your own personal recipe book shipped to your door.

Joseph is the founder of leading Ayurvedic dieting website JoyfulBelly.com. He promotes practical Ayurveda at diverse locations nationally from local yoga studios to world renowned Yale University (invite him!). He is a faculty member at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism, director of Ayurveda for Yoga Spirit Studios and writes for the Light on Ayurveda Journal. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University where he was also a teacher of mathematics, business and software development. Joseph studied Ayurveda under Dr. Vasant Lad and in India.

He runs an Ayurveda clinic in Asheville, NC. Contact 828-348-4880 for an appointment.

Prior to Ayurveda, Joseph worked on public health projects with a particular focus on South Asia & the Middle East. He continues to manage a public health project using mobile communications for clean water in Bangladesh. Joseph studied the language and culture of Bangladesh over ten years and is fluent in Bengali. He loves Bengali art and spent a year filming folk music in the streets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. He is also a student of Sanskrit.

The Joyful Belly technique is practiced around the country. To find a practitioner in your area and for more information, you can visit the website. link

Friday @ Asheville Green Drinks

This Friday, Rev. Itsumi and Sister Denise of the Nipponzan Myohoji peace-walking Buddhist monks will be speaking at the weekly Green Drinks gathering.

People gather for Green Drinks at 6:00 to socialize, and the presentation starts at 6:30. It usually involves a talk of about 20 minutes with questions to follow. The location is the Bobo Gallery, 22 North Lexington (just off college Street).

Itsumi and Denise will speak about the interrelationship of peace and environmental issues, specifically emphasizing how they are intertwined at the nuclear weapons manufacturing complex in Oak Ridge, TN, just over the mountains and upwind of western North Carolina.

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Green Drinks isn't just an Asheville thing but it does lean "Green". And it's global. If you're not in Asheville, see if your local node has a gathering.

Asheville FringeArts Festival!

Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 8:00pm
End Time: Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 5:00pm
Location: Bebe Theatre and other venues
Street: 20 Commerce St, etc

Come One, Come All! Experience the best of the avant-garde, the experimental, the fringey, freaky, and titillating performances at the 8th Annual FringeArts Festival!

Featuring many talented local performers in a few venues!
All shows are different, so come see them all!

Festival Opening Night Extravaganza!
Jan 21st at 8pm
Located at Scandal's Nightclub, 11 Grove St.
Tickets only $8.00
Jen & The Juice, our musical headliners with Cookie La Rue, our mistress of ceremonies!

Fringe in a Blackbox: A Fringe Focus on Movement and Theatre
Jan 22nd, 23rd at 7:30pm, Jan 24th at 3pm
Located at Bebe Theatre, 20 Commerce St.
Tickets: $12 Students with ID/Seniors $10

Fringe on Wheels: A LaZoom Bus Mystery Tour
Jan 22nd, 23rd at 7:30 and 10pm
Bus departs from the Bebe Theatre
Tickets: $12 Students with ID/Seniors $10

Fringe Audio: A Fringe Focus on Sonic Experimentation
Jan 22nd, 23rd at 8pm
Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, 56 Broadway
Tickets: $12 Students with ID/Seniors/BMCM+AC members $10

GET YOUR FREAK PASS AND SEE ALL SHOWS FOR JUST $25!!!
**Tickets for individual shows are also available

Visit ashevillefringe.org for schedules, to buy tix, and get more fringey info.

See you at the Fringe!

Haircuts for Haiti: Bringing Community Together in Support of Relief Efforts in Haiti

Area citizens and business are finding ways to contribute to the Haiti relief efforts and by getting your haircut in a participating salon on Feb. 1, you can participate as well.

Haircuts for Haiti is one way Asheville citizens and businesses are coming together to support relief efforts in Haiti. Five Asheville salons are holding a cut-a-thon and donating 100% of haircut proceeds on Monday, February 1, 2010 to relief efforts for the earthquake that devastated Haiti.

The salons welcome other businesses to match what is raised or become part of Haircuts for Haiti in whatever way is feasible for them.

Participating businesses will be listed on the Wildflower Studio website, www.wildflowerstudioasheville.com.

Businesses interested in participating in this effort should call Amanda at 505-9490.

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Way to go, guys. I wish you tons of success.

Flashmob in Asheville Coming Soon

Facebook has a FLASHVILLE page where they're trying to organize a flashmob for Jan 28th.

Stop in for more details.

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Asheville film 'Solatrium' heads to Slamdance Film Festival

“Solatrium” by local director Chris Bower will make its world debut at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah Jan. 21-28.

Many Asheville-area residents know Bower from “Moon Europa,” the Asheville based science fiction film he produced with multimedia developer G. Craig Hobbs. But few know that “Moon Europa” was originally a short film, “Solatrium.”

For more on Slamdance, visit slamdance.com. Local links are www.solatrium.com, www.slamdance.com and www.chrisbower.tumblr.com.

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Asheville Vaudeville

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Friends of Asheville Vaudeville Facebook Group

Are You A freak?

The Freaks Pageant is much like a standard beauty pageant, but without the beauty, swimsuits and tiaras. You'll perform your fabulous offbeat talents, show your best get-up-and-go costume gear, and of course, give the all-important interview.

And, much like standard beauty pageants, you can bribe the judges. At the auditions, expect to perform a short piece of your choosing and show photos of your costume creations (or other -fully clothed- exploits).

Please register immediately to receive audition guidelines by e-mailing avlfreakscalendar@gmail.com.

A registration fee of $25 will be required to secure an audition appointment.

The Freaks of Asheville pageant will take place at Grove House (11 Grove Street) from 8-10 p.m. Feb. 13.

Contestants will perform a 3-minute talent segment, show a costume of their own creation runway style and respond to 3 minutes worth of interview questions relevant to the kingdom of freaky behavior and thought. Contestants will compete for a single appearance in the 2011 Freaks of Asheville Calendar.

The Freaks of Asheville Pageant is produced by Kitty Love, Craggie Brewing Company, and the Freaks of Asheville. The Freaks of Asheville calendar is a fundraiser for Arts 2 People.

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Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Mars Hill, NC, wants to share the scenery of our mountain with you. We now have three web cams that show incredible views of the slopes and the surrounding mountains.

For singles, couples, families, in the height of ski season their inclusive accommodations are definitely worth looking into.



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