Asheville Zombie Tubers Poised To Take World Record

More than 900 people -- err, zombies -- have signed up to break the world record number of linked tubers on the French Broad River Saturday morning. If all of the undead rally, that will mean that Asheville will be the new home of the world record.

The previous record is for about 630. "There is nothing Asheville likes more than competing with another city for some kind of title or bragging rights.

The zombie part we just threw in there for fun," he added. "The only thing better than trying to break a world record is trying to break a world record while dressed like zombies!"

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Vampire Diaries Star Speaks At Coal Rally

"We’re all here to address the biggest challenge of our time — climate destruction," Somerhalder said. "We don’t need to keep pursuing these toxic fossil fuels. We have options, and you know we do."

Somerhalder also touted the use of solar energy and encouraged the audience to be more energy-efficient. "Lets weatherize our homes," he added, "We can build a better, healthier economy based on good-paying, clean-energy jobs."

The initiative of the really was mainly to convince Duke Energy to retire its coal-fired power plant in Asheville; something that may or may not happen. But, it accomplished plenty by featuring a hot star like Somerhalder to influence the younger generation to be more aware of energy and environmental causes.
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Ramble Run 2013

On May 11, 2013 (Mother’s Day Weekend) it’s expected that over 1,000 runners and walkers will once again participate in this exciting race. The 3rd annual “Ramble Run at Biltmore Park” will offer both 12K and 5K races organized by the Asheville Track Club and presented by Mission Health.

Starting and finishing at Biltmore Park® Town Square and running through The Ramble® Biltmore Forest, both races are scenic and enjoyable, yet challenging. They follow a course that one runner compared to “running on the Blue Ridge Parkway without the cars.”

Runners will follow Schenck Parkway in Biltmore Park through The Ramble’s south gate to the 5K turnaround at Overlook Park. The 12K course continues through The Ramble past Longmeadow Park, along the paved Dingle Creek trail, over Bow Bridge and back to Biltmore Park Town Square. See the course map.

A fitness expo, healthy food from Earth Fare, music and other post race festivities await participants and their families at the finish. Whether you’ve been racing in the Asheville area for years or are brand new to running, this is one event you won’t want to miss.  

New for 2013: In addition to Mother/Child teams, cash prizes, free childcare, kids fun run, and fabulous pre/post race festivities, the Ramble Run is adding a school fundraising component. All public and private schools in Buncombe County may participate in Zip’s School Challenge. The schools with the most participants (teachers, students, aunts, uncles, grandparents) per school enrollment are eligible to win cash prizes! [Click Here for Complete Details]. [Click Here to Download a Poster for Your School].

What: Ramble Run at Biltmore Park presented by Mission Health. 

When: Saturday May 11, 2013. 5K starts at 8:00 a.m.; 12K starts at 8:15 a.m. 

Where: Biltmore Park Town Square at I-26, exit 37 near Long Shoals Road in south Asheville. 

Registration: Online registration ends at midnight on Thursday, May 9.

Click HERE to go to the registration page. On site registration will be held on Friday, May 10 from 4-7 pm and on race morning from 6:00-7:30. All on site registration will be held at Town Square Park at Biltmore Park.

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The Festival of Gnarnia

AUGUST 9 - 11, 2012

As we journey around the sun, a brief window in time draws near. A unique moment for creative human expression comes to light. Far beyond the dirty sneakers forgotten in the depths of your closet, amongst the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, exists the festival of Gnarnia. For four days this refuge satisfies a special yet sophisticated taste with a legendary mélange of musical acts, performance arts, and artistic craftsmanship. You are cordially invited to the festival of Gnarnia, August 9-11th 2012.


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WOW! I'm in! This is the most unique "ski resort" you'll ever visit. Come for the music and spend a week here visiting Beech Mtn's Land of Oz extravaganze, Festival of Gnarnia. When it's over, head to Valle Crucis for a visit to the Mast General Store. Stop at one of the local spots in Blowing Rock for lunch that seats you outside to enjoy the view.

Greenpeace in Asheville Today

North Carolina Coal Ash Ponds, a photo by Greenpeace USA 2012 on Flickr.

Greenpeace on Long Shoals Rd in Asheville right now.

Activists have secured themselves to the coal loader and conveyers, which will prevent coal from entering the facility.

h/t to Michael Jordan, aka DudeinAvl

Asheville Mardi Gras Parade

(Photos taken from http://www.ashevillemardigras.org)

Sunday, February 19, 2012 | 2:00pm until 10:00pm

Come one and all to the most fabulous funky glittery parade to hit the streets of Asheville!

Asheville Mardi Gras is an all volunteer community based organization made up of New Orleans ex-pats, aficionados of that culture, and — okay, some folks who just LOVE a good party!

Feel free to put together your own Krewe if you would like to participate.

See the Krewes Page for details!


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Valentine "Let Your Love Roll" Ride

Your total body Gigglegasm for Valentines Day!

LaZoom's "Let Your Love Roll" Ride is the absolute finest way to tell your sweety that he/she/he-she/she-he is "worth it." A Valentines ride for couples with games, performance, special guests, and LaZoom's special brand of heart warming mayhem, breaking at a super special secret location with a romantic live band just for YOU and your LOVE!

Do it right this year and "Get on the Bus" with Augusta Wind, Sister Bad Habit, and... she's beautiful, she's bodacious and SHE'S BACK! It's BABS!

The LaZoom "Let Your Love Roll" Ride pulls out Friday Feb 10 through Tues Feb 14 departing from The Thirsty Monk at 92 Patton Ave, downtown Asheville.

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Firestorm Cafe and Books Coffee shops have often been associated with poets, activists, college students and any artistic type looking for a caffeinated connection. And, given that the patron saint of Firestorm is writer and feminist Voltairine de Cleyre, this stereotype fits perfectly with this café in Asheville, NC, and not in a bad way. The cafe opened in 2005 with the goal to be worker-owned, and for the past six years, they have achieved that goal while also using Counter Culture Coffee to make a mean cup of joe. Link | via

The 1st Annual - Asheville Tattoo Fest

March 15 - March 18 , 2012

The A.T.F. is coming ! St. Patricks Day weekend

Asheville's 1st ever tattoo convention! This event will be held in beautiful downtown Asheville, NC. @ The Renaissance Hotel

*Over 50 of the worlds greatest Tattoo Artists/Tattoo Shops
*Local and National Sponsors / Vendors
*Burlesque Performances
*Live LOCAL Music & LOCAL Art Openings
*Seminars by some of the top tattoo shop owners,artists,machine builders & tattoo magazines.
*An Outdoor Ratrod Car Show
*Art Fusion and Silent Auction (Proceeds going to a local charity)
*Childrens Area (This Event Is all Ages!)
*Appearances by TV,Movie and Sports personalities
& lots more to be announced!

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Hip, Hip, Hoo-ray for Hooligans

A city like Asheville naturally has a very hip and understanding city "guv'ment".

"Patience, understanding, dialogue"..., says Gordon Smith regarding the Occupy Asheville group to which I will add "open-minded" to describe Gordon or anything he's involved in.

Asheville has always attracted the brightest minds. Whether you are here busking on the corner or teaching in our schools, we are fortunate to have 99% of you.

Occupy Wall Street Asheville

Lots of action around town. I've been busy and out of town and checking out a few events so here's a rushed version of what I've found so far. Feel free to add to the list in the comments, dear friends.

Here's a list of links to check out a few of the nationally links and in Asheville:

https://www.facebook.com/occupyashevillemediagroup
http://www.imageasheville.com/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-asheville-day-one
http://www.mountainx.com/article/35903/Occupy-Wall-Street-moves-to-camp-out-in-Pack-Square-Park
http://occupyasheville.org

Why I'm in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street - http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/10/05

Bloody Hell, Jeff Mangrum at Occupy Wall Street yesterday!

Global Revolution's Live Stream is covering the New York Wall Street peaceful event around the clock. Go take a look. http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution

Moogfest 2011

MoogFest is a three-day festival celebrating the innovative vision of sonic pioneer, Robert Moog, to be held Halloween weekend, October 28-30, in Asheville, NC.

In addition to the festival’s extraordinary musical offerings, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, engage with artists in panel discussions, enjoy visual art exhibitions, installations and film screenings, and explore their own musical creativity with a variety of Moog instruments.

IMPORTANT LINKS
Official Website
Day-by-Day Schedule

Featuring very special guest, Brian Eno. Also Beats Antique, Flaming Lips, Moby, St. Vincent, and many more.

BLUE RIDGE PRIDE Today!

Blue Ridge Pride festival is happening with lots of entertainment noon-6 p.m. at Pack Square Park. Performers include children’s entertainer 23 Skidoo, Stephanies id, Cantaria, Natalie Smalls Productions and and the Idgies. After the festival, singer CeCe Peniston performs at the Grove House, 11 Grove St.

We'll be taking over Pack Square Park from 12-6 pm on Saturday Oct 1 to celebrate and raise awareness of the diversity of our community. We've got great entertainment, vendors, and community groups all coming in to make this a day you can't miss! Don't forget to check the events page for pre and post festival parties!

On the Net: www.blueridgepride.com

The TURQUOISE Ball

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America's "New Age Mecca"

Asheville is a richly spiritual and metaphysical place, maybe because it's surrounded by mountains enjoying heavenly views, and angelic cloud forms, or it could be the huge amount of non-coherent quartz crystal in the ground (trillions of tons!)

It is claimed that this area has more geological vortexes than anywhere in America...or maybe, as legend says, it's the energy that the Atlantian and Lemurian scientists implanted here after their civilization fell into the sea! There are even rumors that the Cherokee (with their blue eyes) were Atlantians. Asheville's mountains (oldest in the world!) tower some 6,800 ft above sea level, the highest point on North America closest to the Atlantic ocean

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