25 Percent off EVERYTHING at Malaprop's on Jan. 1!

From Gina Glenn on Twitter (@GinaGlenn): 25% off EVERYTHING @ Malaprop's Bookstore tomorrow, Friday Jan. 1st. Limited hours: open 12-5.

Does more need to be said? Go buy some books!

Pimp My Portfolio: Stu Helm and Cheesy Graphics

This New Year's Eve Pimp is for the amazing Asheville graphic designer Stu Helm of Cheesy Graphics, an illustrator whose work you're going to have to see to believe. (No, he didn't do our badass new logo, that's from Alex Sacui of Nosepilot).

Locally, Stu has designed for Crispy Cat candy bars and Sugar Momma's cookies.

Check Stu's work out here. DANG. Sample:


Want to pimp your own portfolio, or know someone worth featuring here on BlogAsheville? Send an email to blogasheville [at] hotmail daht cahm!

Another Review, Award Finalist

My next book, Havana: Killing Castro, has received a 5-star reader review and is one of four finalists in the Reader's Favorite poll in the Fiction-Thriller category. Winners will be announced on January 15th! This book will be available from Eternal Press and Amazon.com on January 7.

Top 13 Local Political Stories of 2009

I've put together my list of the top thirteen Asheville political stories for 2009. Go over to Scrutiny Hooligans and have a look. Add any that I missed!

Stay Tuned -- Havana: Killing Castro coming in January

My new book, Havana: Killing Castro, which has already won several awards, will be released on January 7, 2010. This is a sequel to my previous book, Havana: Top Secret, and features all the main characters of that book. I'm planning several readings, beginning at the end of January. I hope to see you at one of them. Happy New Year to all!

Local Internet in Asheville

Did you know Charter isn't the only flavor of broadband internet service here in Asheville?

Our local providers are Skyrunner (that's their weird logo up there) and MAIN. Skyrunner provides line-of-sight wireless from a mountaintop tower to the Northwest. MAIN provides WiFi in these areas:

• Ivy St./UNCA
• Max St./S. Charlotte
• Lenior St./Kenilworth
• Haywood Rd./Westwood
• Haywood Rd./Sandhill Rd.
• Biltmore Ave./Charlotte St.
• Joyner Ave./Riverview
• Montford
• Mount Clare
• Livingston St.

With MAIN, you can actually buy WiFi access by the hour and by the week as well as by the month.

Both providers are around a hundred bucks or so to set up, and around $35 monthly. Just a reminder for the holidays and the New Year: Charter, thank heaven, is not the only game in town.

I was bummed I couldn't get Skyrunner at home (when the neighborhood tress leaf out, they'll block the signal), so I'm on to try MAIN. I'll keep everyone posted as to what I think!

If you're from Skyrunner or MAIN and want to offer a special holiday deal to bloggers, we are listening, yo...

- Jennifer

I'm warm!!

The power came on around lunch today!! No internet. I have a blog typed up to post when it is back on. Plus, I have pictures!!

See you when I see you!

I swear my kids are driving me crazy with all these stupid questions!!!!!!! HELP!!! OMG!

Asheville Seasonal Sizzle - Asheville Update Episode 3

This week we cover last weekend's Asheville Seasonal Sizzle and a few interesting upcoming events including the 15th Anniversary Party at Highland Brewing Company (which has been canceled due to the snow) and the upcoming Holiday Rides from LaZoom Tours. Thanks for watching!



More Information:

Read the full blog post: Asheville Update Episode 3

See more videos Asheville fireworks on the YouTube Channel.

Oh Sh*t the Video

Cross-posted from Ukulele Rockstar

Asheville Grown, Buy Local

Seen the cute fliers for Asheville's new "Asheville Grown, Buy Local" campaign in storefronts all over town? Here's some folks at Bouchon modeling the shirts!

Learn more about Asheville Grown, Buy Local in this Mountain Xpress article from Dec. 4.

Thanks for the pic, Franzi!

Pimp My Portfolio: Asheville Edition

Everybody needs a hand in this economy... So let's get to it.

While BlogAsheville mulls that grassroots job fair, let's talk about a new BlogAsheville feature: Pimp My Portfolio.

If you've got a good-looking online portfolio, share it with us at blogasheville (at) hotmail daht cahm. Once a week or so we'll spotlight a great local portfolio and try and bring you a little business.

Anyway. Here's our first Pimp My Portfolio victim, chosen from the theMAP.org archives for looking pretty great.


It's Peter Brezny of Purplecat Networks, a local, independent company providing web and mail hosting services, as well as wired and wireless network/UNIX infrastructure and security consulting to local and international businesses.

Brezny's also exhibited his still photography in downtown Asheville, and directed or filmed three award-winning 48hour project short films.

From his MAP.org online portfolio:

For more than 10 years, Purplecat Networks Inc. has provided web and mail hosting services, as well as wired and wireless network/UNIX infrastructure and security consulting to local and international businesses. Specializing in enterprise class dedicated server installations for the record label industry, our servers routinely serve more than 10 terabytes of data monthly to satisfied customers around the globe.

The success of Purplecat Networks Inc. in the world of network engineering has allowed founder and president, Peter Brezny, to further explore cinematography as a means of expression and information transmission. His ongoing work with local theater companies, incorporating live and pre-recorded video projection into dance and theater performances have kept audiences captivated for nearly 5 years.

As the offspring of two professional photographers and raised on the stage of Shakespearean theater, the move to cinematography was a natural one.

Support Peter and other local service providers!

If you don't have a blog/website and are a media artist, you can create an online portfolio by joining the Media Arts Project (MAP) and using their portfolio section to build yourself one.

(Disclosure: I work for the MAP as a Social Media Manager, but I'm not paid to bring in new memberships or anything. One of the initiatives I'm leading soon involves connecting MAP media artists with people looking to buy media services. MAP memberships, including online portfolio services, are $40 annually.)

Send us your online portfolios! This is Asheville. We know you have them.

Locally-Made Gifts for Geek Girls

I like to buy local whenever possible, and buying for a geek girl like myself isn't always easy. The cool thing is I have plenty of fellow tribesgirls here in Asheville. I decided to create a special gift guide just for the geek girl on your list (or, you know, for you as a geek girl to drop hints, probably via a Twitter DM).

This is a cool case for the iPod from George Sawyer:



This recycled black leather clutch from Overlap looks a lot to me like a bar chart. Geekalicious!



OK, I know it wasn't the intent, but this cute tray from MarciG looks a whole lot like the Twitter bird. Just sayin'.



What geek girl is complete without a retro traveling salesman briefcase from FrenchLogic:



And we've all had those impromptu blog post ideas just pop into our minds. Now you can always have a place to jot the inspiration down with these cute matchbook notepads from My Creative Side:



So those were my finds. Do you know about something cool and locally made for a geek girl?

Frank Cook Memorial - Teacher & Herbalist

Robert Eidus, Eagel Feather Productions, will be airing the Frank Cook Memorial Show on Thursday, December 24, (Christmas Eve) at 7pm, on URTV (Charter channel 20), and streaming on the Internet at URTV.org. Frank Cook was a world-renown plant teacher and herbalist, who died in Asheville over the summer.

Robert will be joined by Ken Cook on a call-in for a look at Frank’s early years; in the studio with Robert will be Marc Williams, Zev Friedman and Andrew Goodheart Brown to discuss Frank's life as an herbalist.

Although I only met Frank for 3 hours the summer before last, that meeting had a significant impact on me. Frank's gentleness and depth of plant knowledge was truly inspiring.

Frank Cook died in Asheville on August 19, 2009.

[Photograph by Marty Weil]

Inside SantaCon 2009, Asheville Update Episode 2

This week Bob Bailey of Asheville Update goes undercover to get the inside scoop in SantaCon 2009 in Asheville, NC.



More Information:

Read the full blog post: Asheville Update Episode 2

See more videos of SantaCon 2009 on the YouTube Channel.

Brown Bag Songwriting Finals Tonight

Brown Bag Songwriting Finals Tonight at MoDaddy's OR in your Living Room via UStream.

Featuring 10 weeks of amazing performance winners: Valorie Miller, Ten Cent Poetry, Lyric, Taylor Martin, Shane Conerty, Dulci Ellenberger, Kate McNally, Lyndsay Wojck, Mike Willis and Jullian.

Judges: international touring musician David Wilcox, Bad Ash from 105.9 the Mountain, Rebbeca Sulock from the Mountian Xpress, Brian Landrum booking for the Grey Eagle and producer Robert George.

Details at Pollinate Asheville. Image: Jonathan Welch.

Christmas Jam Road/Transit Info

Street closures associated with Warren Haynes Christmas Jam

ASHEVILLE – The following streets will be closed from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 12 for the Warren Haynes Chris tmas Jam at the Asheville Civic Center :

* Flint Street from Haywood Street to Cherry Street
* Hiawassee Street from Rankin Avenue to Flint Street .

Traffic congestions and delays are likely during the late afternoon and evening. Concert goers are encouraged to carpool to the event and arrive early.

Asheville Transit will re-route the following routes to accommodate the street closures:

Route 11 – Montford/Klondyke/Hillcrest – 5-7 p.m., service will operate to/from the Transit Center & Montford Ave. via Patton Ave. to Haywood St. and to Montford Ave. There will be no service on Flint St. , Cherry St. and the portion of Haywood St. from Montford Ave to Prichard Park . This applies for all inbound and outbound trips.

Route 18 – Erskine Street/Flint Street – 5- 7 p.m., service will operate to/from UNC Asheville & downtown via North Lexington Ave. There will be no service on Haywood St. , Flint St. , Magnolia Ave. or West Chestnut St . This route will be used on all inbound and outbound trips.

Route 15 – Patton Ave. /Deaverview – 5- 7 p.m., service will operate to/from the Transit Center via Patton Ave. There will be no service on Haywood St. or Montford Ave. This route will be used on all inbound and outbound trips.

Route 51 – Montford/Hillcrest – 7:30- 9 p.m., service will operate to/from the Transit Center & Montford Ave. via Patton Ave. to Haywood St. and to Montford Ave. There will be no service on Flint St. , Cherry St. and the portion of Haywood St. from Montford Ave to Prichard Park . This route will be used on all inbound and outbound trips.

Parking will be available in the three city parking decks, the county parking deck or in privately owned pay-lots, all of which are within 10 minutes walking distance of the Asheville Civic Center. Concert goers should obey all no parking signs as some privately owned lots enforce 24-hour towing. Backpacks are not allowed. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 9 p.m.

For more information regarding bus routes, visit www.ashevilletransit.com, call 253-5691 or email iride@ashevillenc.gov. For information about the Asheville Civic Center , visit http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/civic_center/.

Truth and Consequences

Dear BlogAsheville,

I owe you an apology.

On Tuesday, I made a post which was inaccurate and unfair about the YWCA.

We have worked hard for years to build community in Asheville and my post did the exact opposite of that. With that in mind, I am stepping down from the Admin team for a while but leave you in the good hands of the Effervescent Jennifer Saylor and other Unnamed Admins.

It has been a wonderful experience being part of this community for the last four years, and I regret my poor judgment has made it impossible to continue to serve in the same capacity at this time, but fair is fair; and I would not see my own lack of good sense hurt the BlogAsheville community at large.

Sincerely,

Uptown Ruler

Spookypalooza Totals!

The Rev. Heather Dillashaw Spencer of Homeward Bound of Asheville accepts cash raised at Spookypaooza 2009 from new Asheville City Council member and Asheville blogger/activist extraordinaire, Gordon Smith. Smith and Spencer stand in front of bins where the homeless can store their possessions, one bin per person. Rev. Spencer says A HOPE, like all nonprofits, is struggling. Spookypalooza money will go into general fund to try and make ends meet.

Photo by Jason Sandford of Ashvegas.

The checks and cash from ticket sales and raffle tickets have been counted and the totals are finally in...

In the middle of crappy economic times, Asheville's online community raised $1810 for local people in need.

By partying at the Phil Mechanic at Spookypalooza/Blogapalooza 2009, and by buying raffle tix (and by donating to our raffle), we did some good for Homeward Bound of Asheville, an area organization who helps local people find food, shelter and a better life.

Thanks Spookypalooza sponsors, and thanks to amazing local artist (and blogger!) Genie Maples. We couldn't have done it without you.

Thanks, online community. You KNOW we'll see you next year to help out some more and have some more fun.

Asheville Update Episode 1: December 3rd, 2009

This is Episode # 1 of Asheville Update, a weekly video blog about the city of Asheville. The blog will feature a list of featured upcoming events and will often include an interview with an interesting Asheville person.

Covered This Week

Contestants from across the country will bring their culinary masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn this holiday season. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition display is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

For more information on our National Gingerbread House Competition, please call our Gingerbread Hotline at 1-800-413-5778.

Viewing is Nov. 18 - Jan. 3, 2010 Community Viewing is Monday-Thursday only. Resort Guests may view the display at anytime. Groups traveling by bus or passenger van must make parking reservations prior to arrival. Please note that these groups must have dining or lodging reservations or will be charged a parking fee. Large vehicle parking reservations are available only by calling 1-800-438-0050, ext. 1281.

This Weeks Featured Events

---

Montford Park Players 33rd Annual Production of A Christmas Carol

Biltmore Village Dickens Festival

Asheville Mural Project Fundraiser at Pisgah Brewing

Asheville Seasonal Sizzle

The Big Crafty

North Carolina Symphony - Holiday Pops Concert

On the Horizon:

Asheville FM Presents the Anti-Jam Jamboree

Warren Haynes Presents 21st Annual XMAS Jam

More Information

View the complete event details here: Asheville Update Episode 1: Dec 3rd 2009

If you would like to subscribe to this weekly video update please visit the Asheville Now YouTube Account. Please leave comments about the show below and send ideas for events and stories to: news@ashevillefm.org.

Thanks for watching.

A Grassroots Job Fair?

Are you looking for work? Ready to take most anything that comes along? Discouraged and disgusted by hacking away at Monster all day, applying for jobs you know hundreds of others are also applying for?

And getting nothing?

If Asheville had a grassroots job fair, how could that work? What would we bloggers and engaged local citizens do to connect local jobs with local people--friends, family neighbors?

Could there be a grassroots job fair for small local businesses? For freelancers looking for admin help and assistance? I think there might be a demand for something like this. The problem is getting it to work.

People need work DESPERATELY, and there ARE jobs out there. How could we use the grassroots power of Asheville citizens and Asheville social media to make this happen?

I (Jennifer Saylor, one of the BlogAsheville admins) envisioned a job fair. One friend said a general meetup (Tweetup?), maybe a bimonthly meetup managed with social media.

But how would we learn about job oppty's? How can we successfully reach out to and attract small businesses looking for help?

We have people who need jobs, but we need the other half of the equation: small local businesses and entrepreneurs/freelancers looking to fill local positions.

I know one thing for sure: this won't happen unless people get behind the idea and send ideas and offers of help to make this happen.

Asheville, I am putting this out to you. What have you got?

Highland Brewing Co. to Release 15th Anniversary Ale

(From Bruisin' Ales)

Highland Announces Release of 15^th Anniversary Ale

Asheville, NC—Celebrating 15 years as Asheville’s first and most successful brewery, Highland Brewing Company announced today the December 15^th release of its latest seasonal, Auld Asheville Vintage Ale. Oscar Wong, founder and President of Highland, indicated that the name and label pays homage to the Scots Irish heritage of Highland’s mountain home. It is a style made famous by British brewers with their holiday offerings of old ales.

According to John Lyda, Highland’s Head Brewer, Auld Asheville Vintage Ale is a high gravity ale in the style of “Old Ales” or ‘English Strong” ales which are traditionally released just prior to the holidays. Contributing to the beer’s complexity is the use of three different yeast strains, two of which were imported from England. Because of the hopping levels, alcohol content, and the completeness of its attenuation with time in the tanks, “the product should cellar incredibly well and increase in complexity for at least the next year.”

Its taste is described as “having a bold profile from fine British Malts, woody and estery aromas from traditional British Ale yeast, and bittering from Styrian Bobek hops. The addition of Sterling hops provides a hint of spiciness in the nose.

Highland will host an Auld Asheville Vintage Ale open house kickoff party at its facility at 12 Old Charlotte Highway on December 18^th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Live entertainment provided by Asheville’s Funknastics band, with food by Barley’s Tap Room and Pizzeria. Barley’s is also celebrating its 15^th anniversary

Jimmy Rentz, owner of Barley’s and one of Highland’s original supporters, said “We are pleased to join Highland is celebrating both our 15^th anniversaries. Highland set the standard for all the craft brewers who have followed them in Asheville. We’d like to think that Barley’s has also set a great standard in town by offering the best Craft beer selection in the region, including Highland beers."

Auld Asheville Vintage Ale will be available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft in local restaurants and retail outlets beginning December 20^th.