Drinking Liberally: DLicious!

I need a drink. Or several. These announcements are normally prefaced by a litany of political hullabaloo, driving we sodden liberals to the pint glasses. But this week, the political dramas unfolding across the district and the country require a new attitude: Drink First and Ask Questions Later. No one should have to endure the coming storm of relentless campaigning sober.

Drinking Liberally, that weekly convention of hot-headed hipsters, green-coated giants, latte-soaked liberals, and pragmatic progressives, comes together again for a malty night of political brilliance at Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Avenue. Come early, stay late. Bark at the electoral moon with Asheville's liberati from 7-10 p.m.

Asheville Vaudeville!

A free, open-to-the-public, family friendly variety show on Friday, September 1st at 7PM in Pritchard Park and Saturday, September 2nd at 7PM in the New French Bar Courtyard.

Asheville Vaudeville takes its name from an early 20th century theatrical tradition bringing together a wild variety of performance art. A showcase of the amazing, diverse talent in our community, including improv, theatre, live music, dance, comedy and magic...Asheville Vaudeville has it all! For further information, e-mail hope@scapegoattheatre.org

Councilman Freeborn

WNC Citizens Blog has posted video of Bryan Freeborn at an August 22 City Council Meeting. The topic? Immigration. WNCCBlog likes the Action Club and didn't like the speech very much. I imagine a lot of folks will agree. I also reckon a lot of folks will like the speech quite a lot.Go Watch.

a new book by aville author

i have my new book Whistling in the Dark done and available at lulu.com. the best way to describe it is to buy it. it's another voice out there in touch with the third rail of meaning in the new millenia.

go here. to take a look.

Asheville Citizen Times Shows Local Bloggers Some Love

While the list excludes some of our favorites, a new blogroll is up at the AC-T's online opinion page. Jim Buchanan spearheaded the effort to get our local online media listed along with the national blogs they list. Thanks, Jim.

If you're not listed, and you want to be... or vice versa... then contact Jim via email at JBUCHANA@ashevill.gannett.com .

Local media supporting local media. Or...local media owned by meganewsmonolith Gannett supporting local media. Either way, it's a shoutout we can be happy about.

UPDATE: I spoke to Jim about our placement on the page, and he explained that his IT guys are more likely to move us into better sidebar real estate if they see us getting clicks. So get to clickin'!

Avett Brothers almost here

The show's Friday night at the Orange Peel. Sold out, suckas. We'll post ya some video.

Drinking Liberally: Anything Goes!

No time for a fancy thematic announcement regarding tonight's episode of Drinking Liberally, unfortunately - the things that keep us busy on an everyday basis have been piled on especially thick this week - but we wanted to send out a quick reminder that tonight at the Asheville Brewing Company @ 77 Coxe Ave. in Downtown Asheville... anything goes!

From local and national issues, the latest trash from Charles Taylor's re-election campaign (his TV ad campaign officially began today, with an ad-buy on WLOS - video link below), to hazy memories of last weekend's pub crawl (thanks to everyone who showed up for that - it was an amazing time) and everything in between, I'm pretty confident that we won't be lacking discussion topics. And you can take that to the bank. As long as it isn't owned by Financial Guaranty...

See you tonight!

syntax (co-host, Drinking Liberally Asheville)

PS: if you have the constitution for this sort of thing, here's the link to Taylor's new smear ad.

New watering hole in West Ashvegas

There's a new nightclub coming to West Ashvegas. It's going to be called the Rocket Club and it's set to open next month. It will be located at 401 Haywood Road, on the end of Haywood nearest Clingman. It will hold some 450 people and already has some music and comedy acts booked. Read the Citizen-Times story here.

Here's a taste:

The Rocket Club building is still undergoing major renovations. Originally constructed in 1900, it has served as a grocery store and a heating and air-conditioning business. As for the name, rockets have always fascinated Nessle, the son of a career military father who specialized in aerospace work. Now he wants to build a rocket around a 20-foot antenna on the club's roof.

Standing out in the corner of the spacious room is a monkey riding a red, white and blue toy rocket. Named Ham, after the first American chimp in space, he needs some work but will be the marquee for the Rocket Club - complete with a beer in hand.

North Asheville Turkeys Reproduce

The good news: This rafter of turks lives in my hood and they eat all the nasty bugs out of my garden every morning.

The bad news: They've also eaten my hostas and my strawberries.

The good news: they give my cats the chance to pretend they are safari lions.

The bad news: There are six adolescent turkeys and three babies in this group. This is only one of several North Asheville wild turkey rafters. One contains about twenty-five adults and regularly blocks traffic on Kimberly Avenue.

More bad news: Their only true local predators are bears.

Feral Chihuahuas Vs. The Oxymorons

There's going to be a sketch comedy battle tonight at 8 pm. at the Coxe Avenue Asheville Brewing Company. Woodfin's Feral Chihuahuas are going head to the head with the legendary Oxymorons, and everyone's invited to watch this Tuesday night comedy fight.

Caution, Blogger At Work

Artist's Ashvegas

Burger Barflys

These ladies are but two of the many interesting characters we encountered on the First Annual Drinking Liberally West Asheville Haywood Road Pub Crawl last night.

It took some doing, but a handful of us made it to the Grey Eagle right before last call this morning @ 1:30. A good time was had by all, and no one got their butts kicked @ Mike's Side Pocket. (Except for Kyle, who succumbed to my mad billiards skillz.)

Thanks to everyone who came out for helping make the F.A.D.L.W.A.H.R.P.C. a resounding success.

(more pictures as soon as I can run some red-eye correction on them.)

Flamethrower

Classic cars at the Smoky Mountain Nationals Car Show at the WNC Ag Center this weekend.

Lemme see yer grill

Classic cars on display at the Smoky Mountain Nationals Car Show at the WNC Ag Center.

A Good Day to Crawl

It's on. Tonight. 6 p.m. Start at Cowboy's Nite Life on Haywood Road near Patton Ave. If you're coming later, call my phone to find out where we are.

Details Here.

Drinking Liberally - Liberal Media? Where?

Earlier this week a representative from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) was in town, flanked by a few local activists of note - including one that I'm sure you're familiar with - to hold a press conference on the steps of Asheville City Hall to discuss Charles Taylor's many ethical peccadilloes and what they, as an organization, were doing about it.

Now, the whole idea of a press conference is to present information to the press. And boy oh boy what a turnout of the local journalism community the CREW event had! Let's look at some of the luminaries that were present at the press conference:

• WWNC, 570 on your AM dial! The one place in the Asheville area where a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, log-cabin or otherwise, can listen to the fair and balanced punditry of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Michael Savage the way nature intended - with lots of static and sibilance. They were covering the press conference, but their coverage amounted to a short report (read the transcript here) that was very favorable to Taylor. (Okay, okay, I can't harsh on WWNC too much - they do have Art Bell in their lineup. He's a guilty pleasure. So is Paul Harvey; the fact that both he and Keith Richards are still alive are testaments to something, but I'm not sure what.)

• The Asheville Citizen-Times? Our local Gannett mouthpiece, the same paper that endorsed Taylor for re-election in 2004, did run an announcement that the press conference was going to be happening, but didn't even bother showing up.

• WLOS was there, but they glossed over the event almost completely, paying it lip service by including roughly ten seconds of footage of the event itself and about ten seconds of an interview with CREW's deputy director, Naomi Seligman-Steiner, as part of a general story about the 11th District's Congressional race. Guess who got twice as much face time and soundbites than the challenger, Heath Shuler? Big surprise! In case you've forgotten, WLOS is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, a conservative media conglomerate that pre-empted that one episode of Nightline a few years ago because, you know, honoring our soldiers who were killed in Iraq up to that point was unpatriotic.

• Mountain Xpress was there, but since the deadline of our own little homespun version of the Village Voice is on Saturday, we won't know what their coverage was like until the next issue hits those purple plastic boxes next Wednesday.

• As of press time there was no word as to whether or not the Global Report, the Tribune, the IWANNA or the Town Tooter covered the event.

This is just a small, local example of media bias. And to think that all of those conservative pundits accuse the media of being liberal. Where the hell were the so-called "liberal media" when this event was happening? It's almost as if our local media outlets are so comfortable with the status quo that they're more than willing - dare I say happy - to ignore illegal activities.

If you're like me, I'm sure you're sufficiently pissed about this.

So... let's get pissed!

Come join us for another episode of Drinking Liberally @ the Asheville Brewing Company (77 Coxe Ave., Downtown), where we can talk about media bias, where we get our news, what we can do to help support independent news outlets on all sides of the ideological spectrum... and ways that we can heed the advice of Jello Biafra: "Don't hate the media, become the media!"

Besides, the Brewing Company has some tasty 'za, great beer, complimentary wi-fi access... and you never know what kind of surprises will pop up at these things.

See you tomorrow!
syntax (co-host, Asheville Drinking Liberally)

(PS - Don't forget about the First Annual Drinking Liberally West Asheville Haywood Road Pub Crawl this Saturday!)

Incredibly Cool Volunteer Opportunities!

Do you know about the Colburn Earth Science Museum? Do you know how totally cool and fantastic and groovy it is, hiding away on the bottom floor of Pack Place with its sweet collection of minerals and gems and rocks and even a MINE you can go through after pushing a detonator that makes a most satisfying explosion noise AND causes a highly WNC accented dude to say FIRE IN THE HOLE?!?! I mean, this place is awesome. This place is a magnet for kids of all ages and the admission is cheap ($4 for adults, $3 for kids, I mean cheap, and if that's still too much, it's free like all of Pack Place from 3-5 on the first Wednesday of each month) and this place NEEDS YOU.

The Colburn needs everything, more or less: money & stuff & seriously, volunteers on a fairly desperate basis, particularly Tuesdays through Fridays to sit at the front desk, greet visitors, answer phones and, you know, whatever comes up. The people are really nice; the kids who come in LOVE this museum and their enthusiasm is contagious. Did I mention the mine? And the rocks? And the fact that Mr. Phil, the tame geologist, will identify rocks you bring with you on Wednesdays? Or pretty much anytime, for that matter.

If volunteering on a regular basis is too scheduled for you (like it is for me) than consider this idea: the Colburn is looking for people to volunteer AT the Biltmore Estate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September and October. Volunteers will be helping kids pan for gold and minerals - big fun! - and to sweeten the deal not only will you be admitted free to the Biltmore that day but you will also receive 2 free passes that you can use any time for the next year. Two free passes to the Biltmore, people, that's serious value! Call the Colburn for more information at 254-7162 or email: infoATcolburnmuseumDOTorg.

Hot Movies in Hot Ashvegas

Since no one's posted in forevah, I decided to throw a little something up here.

There are at least two movies filming around town this week. One, Asheville the Movie, I've written about before on BA and EM.

But now I have even more deep, dark, secretive information about the movie. Because I spent yesterday working out some ancient shoe leather while acting in the film. Yep, I, Edgy Mama, will be the hostess/waitress in a scene in Asheville the Movie! Another reason for y'all to go see the film--which may come out next summer? I'll keep you informed.

Anyway, it was damn hard work, but interesting. We filmed at Table Restaurant (thanks, Jacob and Alicia!). It was hot (the a/c interfered with the sound), tedious, and fun--all at the same time!

I've worked production before, but I hadn't realized how exhausting it is to act--to be on call for 12 hours, to repeat yourself five hundred times, to be expressive on command. Damn, my respect for film actors has risen a hundredfold.

ATM has only three or four more days of filming and then goes into editing--hopefully in time to get a short to the Sundance Festival. I'll keep y'all apprised of the film's progress. The final cut is going to be hilarious, moving, edgy, and a paean to the Asheville--in all her guises.

I hear that A Dance for Bethany is also filming around town. According to Ash, they were in my hood, filming a wedding scene at Grace Episcopal Church, a couple of days ago, and looking for extras. Did anyone go? Any further information on that film?

Ashvegas skyline

River District People Invited

From the city government e-news:

"Mountain Housing Opportunities and the city of Asheville are hosting a public meeting to get citizen input on initial designs to improve to landscaping, bike lanes, sidewalks, stormwater management and parking along the Clingman Avenue/Haywood Road corridor. The meeting is scheduled for August 24, 5-7 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Tavern.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded funds to Mountain Housing Opportunities Inc. and the city of Asheville to improve the area from Hilliard Street to the west side of the Riverlink Bridge. Proposed improvements will spur continued infill development in the West End / Clingman Avenue Neighborhood (WECAN) and mixed use patterns of redevelopment in the River District.

The project will build on previous planning initiatives, grassroots community support, and numerous existing partnerships. Improvements to the Clingman Avenue/Haywood Road Corridor are identified in the WECAN Citizens Master Plan, the Clingman Forest Greenway Master Plan, the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Plan, the Pedestrian & Thoroughfare Plan and the Asheville Greenways Master Plan.

Clingman Avenue is a major transportation corridor located just outside the Asheville's Central Business District. The corridor connects downtown to the French Broad River and West Asheville."

Womansong: Walking Among You

If you are not already aware of it, Womansong is a multi-generational all-woman's choir, here in Asheville; and they are celebrating their 20th year with an anniversary concert at the Diana Wortham Theatre on November 17 and 18, 2006. This concert will be "directed by Deborah Nordeen, highlights will include the dynamic Womansong Percussion Ensemble led by Sue Ford, sign language interpreter Shiner Antiorio, audience participation, new songs plus songs from our CD, Everybody Got Her Own, along with original compositions by Womansong members."



"Womansong of Asheville is a community chorus. Our Mission is:

* to promote musical expression and creativity among women in the Western North Carolina community through the operation of a women's choral group;
* to educate the members about music and musical performance;
* to educate the community about healing and diversity through music, musical performances and outreach;
* to serve the community by promoting unity and social change; and
* to promote a safe environment and nourishment for musical expression.

We provide a place for women's emotional, creative, & spiritual nourishment, healing, and support, as we celebrate the unity, diversity, & empowerment of women through music."

You can help sponsor Womansong's powerful community work by sending a check payable to:

Womansong
6 Edwin Place
Asheville, North Carolina
28801

or visit Womansong online to donate.

Womansong is the middle of a fundraiser to help support the 20th Anniversary Concert, as well as their New Start Fund: "The New Start Fund was started by Womansong in 1987 to provide financial assistance for women who are in transition and making a new beginning. Womansong members want to encourage women to make positive changes in their lives - such as leaving an abusive relationship, becoming drug free, starting a new business, or going back to school. The New Start Fund gives small gifts of $50 to $100 to help a woman pay for utilities or rent, an apartment deposit, or to provide needed household or school supplies. There is no application or fee. A referral from a social service agency is all that is needed."



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Womansong is just another wonderful example of the kind of community activism and fellowship which is happening in Asheville. We at BlogAsheville salute your words, wisdom, and voices!

Ashvegas movie: 'A Dance for Bethany'

A loyal reader e-mailed Ashvegas this photo shot last weekend, so we thought we'd share. It shows a movie crew taking over the lobby of the Asheville Citizen-Times for the filming of several scenes of the independent movie *"A Dance with Bethany."* (We think that's the director in the tall chair in the center of the pic, preparing to watch as a scene is filmed.)

The movie sounds kinda heavy - about an investigative reporter named Abbey Fisher who wants to start a family and try to find her sense of purpose in life. Instead, she learns that children are being victimized in a sex trade happening right under her nose. She meets 12-year-old Bethany, and Abbey's life is forever changed.

The movie looks to have about a decent budget, and has locations scouted out in Ashvegas and Washington, D.C. Raise the Bar Productions is making the movie with the stated goal of bringing more thoughtful fare to movie-goers. Should be interesting. As for the talent, we've not heard of the folks starring in the movie, but they seem to have some decent credits.

You still have a chance to be a part of this production. The moviemakers have set up a blog to tell people what's happening, and it looks like they're asking for extras for Monday (Aug. 14) to fill out a church wedding scene at Grace Episcopal Church on Merrimon Ave. Hey, that's EdgyMama's hood.

We're looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Links:
The movie's casting blog

The official site for A Dance with Bethany

Raise the Bar Productions

Who are you, and why are you watching me?

Play call

The quarterback for the Asheville Grizzlies gets ready to snap the ball during the Grizzlies game Saturday at Memorial Stadium in downtown Ashvegas on Saturday.

Mantis

Ashvegas fountain gets hammered

The Ashvegas fountain is being demolished to make way for the new Pack Square Park. Why is this important, you ask? Because the work is akin to heart surgery.

Pack Square serves as the heart of Ashvegas. It has been so since about 1793, when the town center was known as Public Square. Always the pulsing center of town, the square has evolved over time. Several courthouses, a public library and a public market for farmers have all existed on the space renamed Pack Square in 1903 after George Willis Pack, a timber baron from Cleveland who brought his wife to the mountains for the fresh air.

So no, this isn't the first work on the square and it won't be the last. But it's always a little scary to see the core ripped open and exposed.

First Annual Drinking Liberally West Asheville Haywood Road Pub Crawl!

What started as a trickling idea has become a spewing keg of excitement. The political lushes of Drinking Liberally are going out on the town, at least the west side of the town, to sample the culture and hospitality of Haywood Road's intoxicating establishments.

Next Saturday, August 19th, the DL drinking army will gather at Cowboy's Nightlife at 6pm (note the change from 4 to 6pm please) to begin the epic journey. Drinkers can park their cars at the defunct Rentway across the street from Cowboy's with the knowledge that they'll be getting taxi service as part of the crawl.

Dress casually or conspicuously. Flaunt your liberal politics, or tuck your Dennis Kucinich tattoo under some Brooks Brothers slacks. Hoot, or holler.

The FADLWAHRPC will leave Cowboy's and head for Smokers and Players. Then we'll move on to the Westville Pub and Burgermeister's. Many have suggested the next stop be The Lucky Otter, but there's some contention as to whether this restaurant with booze really constitutes a bar. Pub crawlers will vote on it.

Whether we hit the Otter or not, we'll cross I-240 and go behind the darkened windows of the B&D bar across the street from BJ's. Then it's Mike's Side Pocket and on to the legendary Burger Bar at the corner of Craven and Haywood. There's a taxi stand just before the Burger Bar, so you can order your taxi there to pick you up whenever you'd like.

Our last stop will be the Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall where Town Mountain ($10 cover, but we may get there so late they won't charge us) will be whooping it up with the DL revelers.

Everyone's welcome. All Drinking Liberally folks are strongly encouraged to drink liberally and to feel the glow of accomplishment that comes with a street well crawled. If you've been lurking, waiting for just the right time to come to a Drinking Liberally gathering, this epic of intoxication may be for you.

If you have any questions, suggestions, projections, or dire warnings, please post them in the comments, or email us at asheville@drinkingliberally.org .

Drinking Liberally: Nedrenaline or Liebermania?

When Ned Lamont, a politically inexperienced communications mogul, chose to run against Joe Lieberman for the Democratic Senate seat in Connecticut, no one except a few prescient bloggers gave him a chance. Lamont was outspent by Lieberman 2-1. He was outgunned on endorsements as Joe brought Bill Clinton, Barbara Boxer, and NARAL while Lamont was teaming with Maxine Waters, Jesse Jackson, and the Reverend Al.

In his non-concession speech, Joe Lieberman announced what everyone already knew - that he was jumping out of the Democratic party to run for the seat anyway. He wasn't going to let losing keep him from running some more. Branding himself as an "independent Democrat" under the clumsily named "Connecticut for Lieberman" party, Joementum isn't slowing.

At the end of his acceptance speech, Ned Lamont said, "I'm buying drinks for everybody". Let's hope Ned makes it down to the Asheville Brewing Company tonight, because I want my beer.

It's time again for Drinking Liberally, that weekly gathering of Lamont Liberals, Liebercrats, and every progressive in between. This week lwe'll dissect the Connecticut primary: Is Lieberman tearing the party apart? Is Lamont tearing the party apart? Is Screwy Hoolie watching too much Fox News? Is there anything being torn apart at all, or is this a beautiful evolution from the Bush era to an era of progressive and liberal politics dawning on the Capitol Steps? Will Lieberman pull enough Republican votes to win the race and keep his seat? How can Lamont battle big Joe?

That's a lot of wondering, and me here without a frosty one. Come on out to Drinking Liberally. We're at the Asheville Brewing Company, 77 Coxe Avenue, every Thursday from 7-10pm. Everyone's welcome, so bring your friends, and tell that Lamont guy he owes me a frickin' beer.

BlogAsheville Open Thread

I don't think we've done this before. Use this thread to let us know what's going on in our mountain metropolis and how life is treating you.

Affordable Housing In Asheville

Sent in by BlogAsheville ally, Mtn Style:

The need for affordable housing is a growing topic of conversation these days. Poor planning and lack of foresight eventually catch up with growing communities, leaving a gap in availability of homes and apartments the working class can settle into.

Some businesses in town have the vision to meet the needs of those individuals trying to make a living and raise a family on a limited income and Mountain Housing Opportunities is one of those.

These folks see the need for downtown and affordable living and act on it. Federal grants and incentives allow them to build quality housing at an affordable price while keeping in mind that it’s not just a roof over your head that makes it home but the amenities we take for granted. Elevators, community centers, and rec-rooms, as well as laundry facilities, cable, and access to public transportation are things some of us relate to a motel. But for those without expendable income these things are a luxury.

I am currently working on a project called The Griffin Apartments on Grove St. with pride and a sense of accomplishment. The look on the faces of the folks inquiring about the application process tells a story of longing for a better place to live and a chance at a new beginning. These folks are hard working and family oriented who are tired of being taken advantage of by shifty landlords and overpriced shanties. The Griffin will offer them a safe and inexpensive escape from the daily grind and with little touches by M/H/O they will feel at home.

This may be a perfect opportunity for some of the “Starving Artists” of the community as well.

Some of the other projects coming up include Crowell Park which is 90,000 sq/ft of apartments off of Smokey Park Highway. This sight is designed around the huge old white pines.

The Glen Rock Hotel on Depot St., which will include a restoration of the old hotel including artists studios and restaraunts and a new 150,000 sq/ft building containing 2 floors of retail, parking, residential rentals, artist studios and affordable condos. All right at the river’s edge.


This is just one company’s ideas and visions for the housing needs and desires of the community, and I urge you to be active and participate in any and all opportunities to see projects like this succeed in our area.

We all need a place to call home and the amenities to live and strive as a community. With vision, conservation, and a little creative planning we can help to preserve the way of life we enjoy and grow as a culture.

Great Headline

Spotted on the Citizen-Times website: "Pope to serve jail time for having sex with inmate." Could there have been a titter in the newsroom?

D'licious Magazine Release Party

If you missed it -- you missed it. Great food, great beverages, great entertainment and a lot of Asheville support.

Landing

A History of Asheville: Parts XIII, IX, and X

Part One and explanation
Parts Two and Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
This series, so full of interesting information, peters out a bit at the end, but here's the final installment. Thanks everyone for reading, and I hope you'll busy yourselves authoring Part XI.

1960-1980:
"The Appalachian Trail, first built in 1968, expressed the public's high priority of the outdoors.

Until 1977, Asheville had no money to invest in "urban renewal" so popular during the 1950s and 1960s in other cities. The commitment to debt repayment saved from the wrecking ball dozens of Art Deco buildings erected during the city's boom decades earlier."


1980-2000:
"By 1980, Downtown Asheville was largely abandoned by businesses as suburban malls put severe economic pressure on those shops that remained. After hours downtown was virtually abandoned, with none of the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops which abound today.

In the early 90's, downtown development began to build the bustling community that exists today. Businesses began to take root where boarded buildings had existed before. By the millennium, downtown Asheville hosted an eclectic mix of artisans, merchants, restaurants, taverns, and offices."

Today:
"Today Asheville boasts a thriving downtown bustling with visitors from all over the world. Consistently voted one of the best places to live in the US, new residents are flocking here as technology makes the world smaller and smaller. The French Broad River is at it's cleanest Since the 1960's, thanks to the Clean Water Act passed in the 1970's. Downtown development Involves refitting derelict buildings into luxury condo's and trendy stores. Summertime Brings vacationers, and events Like Bele Chere, Shindig on the Green, and the Lexington Ave. Arts Festival."

Drinking Liberally: Frankentaylor

Thanks to co-host Aric Vance for the text:

"Over the last several months many of you have probably received a number of full-color printed mailings from our Congressman, Charles Taylor. So far this year they've run the gamut from illegal immigration to healthcare, and yesterday several homes in the Asheville area received a big one. Printed on two sides and when unfolded measuring approximately 12" X 34", this one is essentially a self-congratulatory mailing, trumpeting a sizeable number of appropriations (more commonly known to the layperson as "pork projects") that he secured for the 11th District.

Whether you agree with what a Representative has to say in these mailings, they all have something in common - it's part of the "franking privelege", where elected officials can print and send letters, flyers, etc. to their constituents, all on the taxpayer's dime. More information on this can be found @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franking

The most telling portion of the Wikipedia article reads:

"Franking is one of the largest advantages of incumbency, contributing to a very high reelection rate in the U.S. legislative branch."

So... how can we make sure that this incumbency advantage does not apply here at home? How can we make sure that the reelection percentage rate (which is typically in the low-to-mid 90's) gets skewed downward slightly?

Lets talk about it over a pint or two!

Today is Thursday, which means it's time for our weekly gathering of armchair politicians, activists, guerilla theoriticians, bloggers, LTE writers, beer lovers and Ladder Golf players that we like to call Drinking Liberally! Come on out to the Asheville Brewing Company (77 Coxe Ave., near the bus terminal) and join us - all are welcome, and we always look forward to seeing you!

Love,
syntax (co-host, Asheville Drinking Liberally)

Public Transit during the Belle Chere festival

I was curious to see how Asheville Public Transit (APT) would deal with a sudden influx of people, so it was fortunate that the Bele Chere festival happened at the tail-end of the Brainshrub Bus Project.*

Bele Chere is a huge music and art festival. To put into perspective as to exactly how big this event is: Consider that Asheville's normal population is a little under 70,000. Over three days of the festival, from Friday to Sunday, this number swells to over 375,000 people.

So yeah, this is a big event.

On Wednesday, as Asheville geared up for the coming festivities, I noticed there was a hot-dog vendor at the end of the transit building on Coxe Avenue. Danny and Dee, former concrete mixers, had gotten permission to set up there.

They were beaming with pride at their new hot-dog stand. It may as well have been a full-fledged 5-star restaurant, they were so happy. Dee, apparently still new at her trade, took a bit longer at serving food that what you'd expect.

I hope they are a permanent addition, although I do see potential problems. For example, this may encourage people to bring food and drinks with them on the bus.

On the other hand, I've observed that they answer questions to customers that would normally take up a driver's time, and, their presence adds a sense of community that wasn't there before.

On Thursday evening, the city began putting up barriers around downtown to re-direct traffic. This was a minor hassle for the bus drivers because the people who placed these blockades decided, for some reason, to block access to the transit center from Asheland Avenue. In one case, a driver had to just about run over the barrier to get back to the station.

Thankfully, these barriers were moved back to accomodate APT by Friday morning.

On Saturday evening the pressure was on as the festival reached its height. The #1 bus was 15 minutes late because our driver seemed to be particularly cautious. At first this irked me, but then her quick thinking prevented a major accident:

While the driver was making a left turn onto Michigan Avenue, a small white car ignored the bus's turn signal and passed to our left at at least 50 miles an hour. If she hadn't been paying attention, that car, and the passengers inside, would be splotches today.

Those inside the bus gasped, but we were never in any danger. In a contest between a 25-ton bus and a two-door car, it's not difficult to predict a winner.

Later that night while I waited for a ride to take me to a friends house, I had an opportunity to ask one of the drivers about what he thought of the festival.

"I don't care much for alcohol and I don't care much for people driving like idiots. Holidays like Bele Chere and St. Patrick's day make my job a lot harder."

He wasn't kidding. At 10:30pm I got on the #29 and for the first time I heard the driver grunt in disapproval at other cars on the road.

What I found surprising about my ride from Bele Chere was how many people were walking along Tunnel Road to get to their vehicles on the other side of the tunnel. Including myself, there where only three people on the #29, and we could have easily accommodated them.

Furthermore, the #29 also passes in front of a number of hotels, those people stumbling to their cars shoudn't have needed to drive anywhere in the first place.

APT could probably do a better job co-ordinating with hotels so they can tell their guests that they are located on the public-transit routes. This would make a perfect selling point.

Heck, hotels might even be willing to pay APT so that their guests can ride for free.

In any case, overall I was impressed with APT during the Bele Chere festival.

* The Brainshrub Bus Project was only supposed to last the month of July. But I'm going to extend it for awhile because there are many stories that still need to be told.

For the explanation behind the Brainshrub Bus Project, click here.

To see all posts for the Brainshrub Bus Project, click here.