All Fun Gifts

Our business was started from scratch 11 years ago in a very grassroots fashion. We've come a long way from the days of hand drawn catalogs and peddling our wares at Grateful Dead and Phish shows.

This has been an amazing year for us! Still in beautiful Asheville, NC, our inventory has expanded to include many new products that our customers have requested over the last few years, and some that we just thought you'd like because they're cool. We have more excellent, wonderful, happy customers than ever, and we've added 4 more dynamic and hard-working individuals to our own staff saving them from the drudgery of corporate America!

Shop the headshop catalog at All Fun Gifts, request a catalog or read all about the crew. I think you'll find them quite interesting and their composition represents Asheville brilliantly.

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THE BEARDS OF COMEDY TOUR COMES TO ASHEVILLE

Stand-Up Comedy at the Rocket Club, Wednesday Jan. 14th

Distinctive Laughs Comedy has been offering quality, alternative stand up comedy shows around bigger cities on the east coast, including Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, Athens, and Atlanta. Distinctive Laughs is teaming up with Athens based Loft Comedy and Asheville’s own Rocket Club to present the Beards of Comedy Tour on Wednesday, January 14th at 8 PM.

Admission is $8 at the door, general seating. Doors will open at 7:00pm and the show will begin promptly at 8:00pm.

The Beards of Comedy Tour is comprised of four seasoned and bearded comedians, in a unique format that blends stand-up, sketch, and audience interactive comedy. The show is 90 minutes or more of nonstop laughter, with several surprises in store.

The Four Beards: www.beardsofcomedy.com

Joe Zimmerman: (aka “the cuddly beard”) Comes ouf of Charlotte, NC where he performed regularly with Habitual Ritual Sketch Comedy, the Charlotte Comedy Theatre Improv, and was named Charlotte’s Best Stand-Up Comedian by Creative Loafing Magazine. Joe now calls Asheville, NC his home, where he performs regularly at the Diana Wortham Theatre. zimmermancomedy.com

Andy Sandford: (“aka “the cuddlier beard”) makes his home in Atlanta, where he headlines all of Atlanta’s premier alternative clubs including The Warren City Club, The Highland Inn Ballroom, the Star Bar, and the Relapse Theater. myspace.com/sandfordcomedy

TJ Young: (“aka the cuddliest beard”) has made his name in Athens, GA, as the founder of Loft Comedy, and winner of Rooftopcomedy.com’s coveted Rusty Nail Award. This past summer, TJ was invited to the Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival where he was given the festivals sole honor of “Stand-Out Stand-Up.” tjisfunny.com

Dave Stone: (aka “the cuddliest beard times infinity”) is a road warrior based just north of Atlanta. He has taken his bearded comedy as far away as London, Sweden, and even created a strong Chilean fan base, thanks to his ability to perform his act in several different languages. Myspace.com/davestonecomedy1

Together, they are the “Beards of Comedy,” a powerfully funny comedy tour that has made a name for itself in clubs, colleges, festivals, and beard & moustache club meetings around the east coast.



If you would like to schedule an interview with any of the Beards, please contact Joe Zimmerman by phone at 704-962-2467 or via email at beardsofcomedy@gmail.com. Try phone contact first.

T'Ai Chi in Asheville

Is anyone around western North Carolina interested in T'Ai Chi? I'm told that groups are sprouting up all over the place and here are the ones that I'm aware of.



* Tai Chi - Saturday, January 3, 2009. 3-4:30 PM. Firestorm Cafe & Books, 48 Commerce St. 255-8115

* South Asheville T'Ai Chi

* T'Ai Chi Ch'uan of Asheville

* The Harvest House on Kennilworth Road is starting classes soon. Contact Lee at harvesth@ashevillenc.govor 828-350-2051.

* At Total Tai Chi, Paul Gallagher is taking on a very limited number of personal students-apprentices. If you are profoundly interested in learning the Taiji health arts, and Life Strategy, call 828/628-1629.

* ChiRunning combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable.

Jerry Cain (828) 456-5164 - Asheville, NC
Harry Johnston (828) 298-6221- Asheville, NC
Matt Kabat (828) 778-7467 - Asheville, NC
Brent Neely (828) 253-2207 - Neely School of T'ai Chi - Asheville, NC
Cathy Easterbrook (828) 698-8290 - Therapeutic Touch - Asheville, NC
Martha Sachs (828) 891-4542 - Asheville, NC
Tao Mountain Sanctuary (828) 668-1198 - NC

Related:
DIRECTORIES

* Besides Tai Chi the Asheville Calendar lists a veritable cosmic buffet of groups and gatherings. There's an Eckhart Tolle group, a Sufi Healing Circle, the SECRET philosophy, and much more.

* Body Mind Spirit - Conscious Living in and around Asheville, NC.

Asheville Fringe Festival

Join us for our seventh year of original performance, genre-bending theatrical fringy-ness and exciting experiences for culturally adventurous audiences.

JANUARY 23, 24, 25, 2009

Visit website for more info - link

Downtown Asheville Flavor

From the website:

"Here is a little bit of the Asheville streetlife right across from Pritchard Park and Wachovia Bank in downtown Asheville. CVS has just recently moved out and this store remains vacant with nothing covering the windows. Some musicians are playing in the entryway and some others talking on the side, one dressed as Santa."

John Paul Jones, Allman Brothers, Derek Trucks Noodle ‘Til Dawn at Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam

Guitarist Warren Haynes’ annual Christmas Jams are known for their jaw-dropping “wow” moments, but this year’s star-studded, 20th anniversary throw-down — held December 12th and 13th in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, North Carolina — had more than usual. The one that silenced the 7,200 partiers who packed the Asheville Civic Center on the first night came when Haynes and one of his rock & roll heroes, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, appeared onstage together and played a stirring, acoustic guitar and mandolin version of the Zeppelin classic, “Going to California.”

When Haynes changed the lyrics to “Going to Carolina with an aching in my heart,” the crowd erupted. The duet came about three-quarters of the way into the Friday night show, which began with a performance by Haynes’ band Gov’t Mule, at about 7 p.m., and didn’t end until more than nine hours later, at 4:20 a.m. Saturday morning, when Haynes’ other group, the Allman Brothers Band, hit the last note of “One Way Out.”

Sandwiched in between were performances from the Derek Trucks Band, Joan Osborne, country singer Travis Tritt, bluegrass king Del McCoury jamming with gospel group the Lee Boys, and New Orleans funk band Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. On Saturday night, Haynes, who sat in with every act on both nights, did it all over again, this time with Ben Harper, Steve Earle, Coheed & Cambria, Johnny Winter and and a slew of guests including Susan Tedeschi and Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood.

For 26-year-old fan Jeremy Hargett, who drove 10 hours, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it’s a Southern rock family reunion he hasn’t missed for the past five years. “Warren does this for people who still love live music,” Hargett said during Osborne’s set. “It’s like a big family of musicians and fans that we’re all a part of. And you always see something that just blows you away.”

Santa in Pritchard Park!

Kids of all ages can mail their letters to Santa at the North Pole Express mailbox in Pritchard Park. Santa arrives every Saturday at 9:30 - 11 AM to pick up his mail and spend some time with kids.

Event Contact Information:
Sandie Rhodes 828 628 1422

December 13 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - FREE
December 20 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - FREE

PRITCHARD PARK
Triangle intersection of Haywood St, College Ave, and Patton Ave
Asheville , NC 28801

Looking For A Place To Stay In Asheville?

Have you considered Couch Surfing? There are almost 100 couches in the Asheville, NC, area just waiting to accommodate you.

Go have a look.

The Big Crafty

SantaCon In Asheville!

Watch it on YouTube!

ASHEVILLE SANTACON 2007
WHAT THE HO?

It starts at 3pm at Rocket Club off of Haywood Rd. There's also a pre-party noon-3 at someone's house on Riverview Rd., but I don't know the exact address. Public transportation will be used to get around.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
***Asheville SantaCon is December 6th*** That's right kids, it's that time again. SantaCon is coming!!! I've seen the pics from the last few years and have to say, Yall do it right!!!! Just to remind everyone, I have listed the rules for SantaCon again. There is no Santa in charge to call. If you can't show up for the start, get the phone number of someone who can help you catch up later.

1. AGAIN! Santa does not make children cry. Really - If you see kids, give them nice toys, candy, or something pleasant. Parents and Tourists are a different matter altogether -- adjust based on their attitude.

2. Santa dresses for all occasions. It's December. Smart Santas wear multiple costume layers. Dress to maximize merriment whether singing Christmas carols in the snow, or swinging from a stripper pole.

3. Santa doesn't whine! We will be outside alot and commuting mainly on foot -- bring enough "snacks" to keep your pie-hole filled until we get indoors.

4. Bring gifts -- NAUGHTY gifts to give grown ups; NICE stuff to give kids. Throwing coal at people is discouraged no matter who they are. YES THAT INCLUDES POLITICIANS. But giving out coal is always ok?.

5. Watching Santa get drunk and obnoxious is fun. Babysitting Santa while they vomit in an alley is not. Don't be that Santa.

6. Pay for your Beer and tip the bar staff, we want to be able to this again. Bribery gets you everywhere! Also pay for your beer or drink as soon as you get it. Other Santas get tired of waiting on Santas to clear their tab before being able to move on. This entire adventure should be a cash only. Credit Cards only take longer.

7. No Santas left behind. Don't go leaving one or two Santas in the process. Santa dont like that. Pick a few people you know and keep an eye out for them when it's time to move to the next location. If you don't see them, speak up so everyone waits. Every Santa should have at least 2-3 other Santas they look out for and that look out for them. We don't want to leave someone in the shitter and have them wandering around looking for us. Santa is safer in numbers. What one Santa couldn't get away with without getting questioned, 50 can. Stick together Santas! More »

SEE PHOTOS FROM SANTACON ASHEVILLE 2007

Asheville SantaCon | More »

For more Santa craziness see Santarchy and SantaCon.com

CHRISTMAS JAM BY DAY

We are pleased to announce the return of Christmas Jam By Day to downtown Asheville. We will have Music during Friday and Saturday Afternoon (At Stella Blue, The Emerald Lounge and Jack of The Wood), Film Screenings Thursday, Friday & Saturday (At The Fine Arts Theatre), an Art Show with an opening reception on Thursday Night that will be open all weekend (At The Satellite Gallery) and the debut of The Comedy Jam taking place on Friday Afternoon (At The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium). Band schedules will be announced shortly.

8 arrested in Craigslist prostitution sting in Asheville

Police arrested eight women in a recent series of special operations targeting alleged prostitution on the Craigslist Web site.

The article goes on to name the eight women.

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* I have mixed emotions on prostitution. Mainly it's such a degrading thing for a woman or a man to do for one thing, but, if no one is being harmed I don't see why you should be arrested if it involves two consenting adults.

* And from Asheville's standpoint, is it really so bad for business?

* And C, the whole entrapment thing is a whole 'nother matter by itself.

National Protest Against Prop 8 - Saturday

Saturday, November 15, 2008
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Pritchard Park

Organizer: UNCA Students for a Democratic Society
Facebook | Wetpaint

oiaTV

Welcome to oiaTV, our online weekly video project which showcases the highlights from the gay, lesbian and LGBTQ community. We shoot our video everywhere from Gay and Lesbian bars and clubs to gay-friendly locations of all kinds. Our videos feature gay celebrities, authors, musicians and performers from all walks of life. To suggest an event you think oiaTV should attend, please e-mail oiaTV Director Sean David Robinson at oiatv@outinasheville.com.

Episode 7 is the current episode and features Chuck Giezentanner as he talks about his art, we get a tour of 11 Grove Street, and Lin Ordorf talks to Ron Curran of WNCAP.

This Dancin's Not Dirty

Although painful to watch, it is not criminal for Madison County's Rebecca Willis to dance which she proved after an eight year battle in court and a payoff of $275,000.

She had been banned for life in late 2000 from the Town Depot because some thought her dance moves were too provocative. Her case against the town of Marshall was dismissed, but a fourth District Court of Appeals ruling allows her to keep fighting. The ACLU contends that the dancing ban was a violation of Willis' civil rights.

Go Granny, Go! How tenacious was she to hang in there for eight long years?

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