Edgy Mama's Open Letter to 2009

Read the whole thing here.

Excerpt:

Dear 2009,

Welcome! Once again, I’m thrilled to be greeting another year because I am, against death-defying odds, still here. And yet, dear 2009, could you try to be a better year than 2008? Please?

I wrote a sweet missive to 2008 around this time last year, but neither sweetness nor good intentions made much difference to 2008. She turned out to be a difficult, depressing diva, and I’m looking forward to kicking her heiney to the curb on Dec. 31.

Tonight's the Night!

Message from Gabriel Shaffer

Reprinted with Permission:

"First, thank you to Bill Thompson for not only pushing Asheville artists to grow creatively, but to also be aware of the mechanics that operate outside of the studio.He has consistently exposed our little city to a much larger picture from the moment he opened his doors. Also, i want to express my sincere gratitude to him, for highlighting us in such a high profile event. I dont know if enough folks are aware of just how important what he did for us was. Thank you to the Mountain Xpress, for letting Asheville know that this event took place, we held our own and drew much interest with some of the best.I would also like to address a few key errors in the article. First, there were some other very talented local artists who exhibited with the Satellite gallery in Miami, that were completely left out of the article.

Ted Harper, had a freakishly beautiful sculpture on display(Which the Miami Herald posted on their website), Sean Pace also had some of his fantastic inventions hanging, Nicole Mcconville had her lovely mixed medias there and Ruth Whiting had some beautiful looking paintings on display.The entire group was a visual knockout.Regarding the Art Basel in Miami. This incredible show, that has its roots in Switzerland, has existed for over 10 years now and has quickly become the biggest and best art show in America. The sheer volume of art,artists, gallery owners and patrons, that flood into Miamis Wynwood district, during basel weekend is staggering.Gen Art, a super classy organization based out of LA and NYC, has sponsored events during Basel for the past 3 years, making an effort to highlight contemporary underground and emerging art and fashion.

Each year their events have become more and more successful and publicized, this year was no exception. I could ramble for days about how happy and proud i am to have not only had the opportunity to show there, but to also have done it with so many peers that i respect and admire, from my hometown. I have the utmost confidence and highest hopes in the future of our cities art scene, to be considered one of the best in the country.

If anyone is interested in seeing more pictures and related info about the event we posted a set on my flickr page here http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabrielshaffer/sets/72157611029820343/

Sincerely,Gabriel Shaffer

The Asheville Mural Project Needs Help!

The Asheville Mural Project (ashevillemuralproject.org) is in need of some website help.

We would love to have someone join our team who is passionate about our cause, and would like to donate their services to help us make the site user-friendly and interesting, and help us update on a semi-regular basis.

We would like to keep it simple, so we're not asking for anything grand and complicated.

email Lydia @ lydia.see.photography@gmail.com and/or reply to this post with any offer of Website help or other.

Over-the-Top Local Christmas Decorations

Jana of Crocheting in Asheville found this gem near Biltmore Village, complete with candy-cane bling and what appears to be an inflatable ferris wheel:


(Dang, what is the red chicken/goldfish thing on the right?)

Click here for directions to Jana's find.

Where else in and around Asheville are the over-the-top Christmas displays worth a drive to see? Leave a comment!

AMP Christmas Gala Fundraiser tonight

the halo volunteers
Originally uploaded by zen

Asheville Mural Project is having a Christmas Gala Fundraiser - Tonight, December 20th at 7pm at the YMI Cultural Center - Corner of Eagle and Market Streets

Music by solo cellist Adam Coffin, jazz ensemble Workin Otet, and performance by 13 members of the Asheville High School Choir.

Food by Lobster Trap, Table, Kubos Sushi, Barleys, Salsas/Chorizo, Marketplace, Laurey's, Mayfels, Carmels, Thai Basil, Havana Restaurant, Heiwa, Bouchon, MoDaddy's, Grey Eagle/Twin Cousins, Mela, Jerusalem Garden, New French bar, Zambra, Fresh Quarter, Red Bike Deli, Kilwins, True Confections, Early Girl Eatery.

Plus a live painting by mural artists and offerings of completed art by several local artists in support of the AMP. It should be a wonderful time and i hope to see you there!

Get tickets at Malaprops or online!

CD Release from R.I.S.E. (formerly Rising Appalachia) TONIGHT!

Sisters R.I.S.E. as they release Live CD @ BoBo Gallery on December 19th in Asheville, N.C.with performance & guest artists

After a small sabbatical, the sisters Leah and Chloe now return to their southern roots where they will complete their transformation into the group R.I.S.E. by releasing their third CD ”Evolutions in Sound : LIVE “on Friday, December 19th at BoBo Gallery at 10:00 p.m. ( http://www.bobogallery.com/ )

R.I.S.E. will return to Asheville from their many travels to perform new material and release a new fourteen track LIVE CD of previously unrecorded standards and originals, ”Evolutions in Sound : LIVE “ including the politically charged tunes All Fence and No Doors and Rage Breeds Rage.

Along with invited guests, R.I.S.E. will perform and launch their new CD on Friday, December 19th beginning at 10:00 p.m. at BoBo Gallery.

Admission for the 21+ over show is $ 7.00 at the door.

Shopping Local for the Holidays

Here's some info on two local holiday shopping events this weekend. Spend your holiday dollars on Asheville sellers!

Faerie Made, local purveyor of natural, handmade soaps, perfumes and IMO the best lip balm on earth, is having an open house/sale at the studio/home of proprietor Tina Glenn:

Faerie Made Open Studio Sale

Sunday 12/21/08 1 pm - 5 pm Asheville, NC

Come by, hang out and pick up a few last minute gifts.
We will be serving appetizers and drinks and offering some great sales!

Call (828) 251-5291 for details.

AND

6th Annual FBFC Tailgate Market Holiday Bazaar

20 Dec 2008

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The French Broad Food Cooperative Tailgate Market presents:

The Sixth Annual Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, December 20th -- the French Broad Food Co-op Tailgate Market hosts the Sixth Annual Holiday Bazaar. Located next to the French Broad Food Co-op (FBFC) at 90 Biltmore Ave, in the Build it Naturally parking lot, the Six Annual Holiday Bazaar features vendors from the FBFC Tailgate Market, joined by vendors from the North Asheville Market, other surrounding tailgate markets, as well as area crafters. The idea is to provide holiday shoppers with high quality, local food and non-food based gift items. From wreaths to goat cheese, sustainably-grown Christmas trees, candles, preserves, artisan breads, fruit cake, honey, organic chocolates, fabric arts, soaps, and much more, sold by the person who grew or produced it, this Bazaar provides the opportunity to acquire meaningful gifts and give back to our community by buying local and direct.

The Bazaar will take place from 11:00AM to 4PM on Saturday, December 20th and will be accompanied with music by Jake Hollifield (of the Blue Rags and the Screaming Jays) and Woody Pines.

Just a shot of the Christmas tree up currently at the Courthouse. Or perhaps because of the separation of church and state it should be a 'holiday tree.'

C.A.R.P.ing

Over at Local Edge Radio at 880 The Revoluion, show hosts Blake and Lesley are doing something they're calling the Buncombe County Bailout. They are asking local businesses and non-profits to call up on Saturday's between 1 and 3 p.m. to talk about what they've got going on for a little free advertising. I really like that idea, and I think I'll steal it.
Want to get word out about your local business and why it's great this holiday season? Email Ashvegas at sweetashvegas@hotmail.com, and I'll give you a shout-out. I'll call it the Great Ashvegas CARP Fishing Expedition. Because there's nothing that says "shitty economy" like a giant, bottom-feeding fish.
CARP will stand for the "Crappy Assets Relief Program," named after Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson's TARP, or "Troubled Assets Relief Program," i.e. "bailout."
I think all local bloggers should take on some kind of CARP program. How can we help each other, and how can the blogging community boost Asheville in these tough economic times?

Good Comedy Comes To Town

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad will be appearing at Hairspray on Wednesday, December 17th at 8 PM.

"Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad" is coming to town like a dreidal spinning in Vegas. The show is a refreshing mix of comedy, music, spoken-word and show-stopping burlesque, featuring the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah, featuring performers seen on Comedy Central, HBO and MTV. These badass chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza, complete with kick lines, punchlines and a rendition of "L'chaim" with a fist in the mouth. This ain't yo' mama's "Fiddler"!

$15. Asheville is not usually on the map for traveling comedy tours, so come see the impressive lineup of ladies from HBO, Comedy Central, and LOGO.

Tonight at the Rocket Club

Don’t miss the Nashville carnival-rock band, Darla Farmer, as they rock their way through Asheville this coming weekend. The band will be making their debut in North Carolina this Friday, December 12th at The Rocket Club.

Darla Farmer has been blowing up on both the regional and national levels as of late, securing coverage from places like Brooklyn Vegan, Rock The Vote, Pop Matters, Buzzgrinder, CNET, 'Sup Magazine and Blogcritics.org, just to name a few.

Be sure to get there early and check out the Asheville locals, Speedsquare and JAR-E.

It's Friday. Christmas Jams and Christmas Spirit.

The Christmas Jam is this weekend and apparently there is a boatload of live music - even during the middle of the day. Check out the Christmas Jam Guide over at MountainX.com

My girls made some crafts and will be participating in the West Asheville Craft Show and Clothing Swap.

Our tree is up. Got a picture? Post it in the comments! Let's get some Holiday spirit for this weekend.

Now that home prices are falling and I have gone back to renting over the last year, I have a renewed interest in finding a home to buy. Love em or hate em, the Asheville Real Estate search tool over at Beverly-Hanks is pretty bad-ass.

Have a great weekend.

PS: Unless I missed it, no one made any sort of announcement about the new BlogAsheville layout. Just wanted to say I like it :-)

AshVegas Speaks - Using His Voice

Ashvegas, prolific blogger and rabid media hound ("Honest to God, you should have seen Ashvegas go. He was like a shark that smelled blood in the water. He got up camera in hand, looked out the courtyard gates, and disappeared into the night. Blogga just about had a hunting knife clenched in his teeth." - Jennifer Saylor), will be a guest on Local Edge Radio with Blake and Lesley this Saturday. He might even use his real name. Listen to  880 AM The Revolution, or stream it live from 1-3pm. Some likely topics: cutbacks at the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Asheville City Council vacancy getting filled, and/or whatever else is in the local news. 

Notice

I think the great Bloggui has passed.

Felicity doesn't have cancer.

Amateur Cocktail Guy mixed Guiness and champagne to celebrate Repeal Day.

Meanwhile, Bruisin' Ales was celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the American Homebrewers Society.

Xty at Liminal Screeds has posted seven times in the last two days.

And of course Lowell Allen just soldiers on, day after day.

BlogAsheville Advertising

Ok folks, here we go.

This is an open thread for nominations for non-profits to consider for the 2009 year, in which BlogAsheville will give local businesses an opportunity to donate to these charities for premium advertisement space on BlogAsheville.

This thread will stay open through Sunday, on Monday 12/15, I will put up a poll and we will vote on the charity will we adopt for the 2009 year.

After that, we'll work out the donating kinks and get started.

6th Annual Grassroots Revival

Heads up:
The Bountiful Cities Project is hosting the 6th Annual Grassroots Revival this Saturday, December 13th, from 4-10pm. The event will take place at Pearson Garden, on Pearson Street in Montford. The Grassroots Revival is an opportunity for grassroots activists and organizations for social change to network about their projects, and enjoy one another's company!

The Revival will feature a delectable potluck supper followed by a sharing circle, in which everyone will have the opportunity to share their work with the group. Please come down to share, eat, drink and be merry with fellow activists. Re-charge your batteries and remember to bring a dish!

About Bountiful Cities:

Our Mission

To create, on urban land, beautiful community spaces that produce
food in abundance and foster a learning environment for social
justice and sustainability.
Our Vision

The vision of Bountiful Cities Project is to enliven and
empower self-reliance, cooperation, and a stronger
sense of community through providing an opportunity
to grow, harvest and eat fresh, local produce.

We envision community spaces that serve as models
for sustainability through organic food production,
water conservation, ecological building, community
celebration, and cooperative economics.

This vision is becoming a reality at our two flagship gardens:
a permaculture-based vegetable garden on Pearson Drive
in Montford, and the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park
at Stevens Lee Community Center- which is home to over
30 varieties of fruit trees and an under story of berries
and medicinal herbs.

For more information go to www.bountifulcitiesproject.org.

xo
jodi
my life in cake

Big West Asheville Craft Sale and Clothing Swap Dec 13

Sure, you might have checked out The Big Crafty this weekend in downtown Asheville. But at 770 Haywood Road (the Bledsoe Building) they are doing it West Asheville style with a clothing swap and craft sale for those last minute shoppers looking for great deals. See below:

West Asheville Craft Sale!
WHEN: Saturday, December 13 2008. 2-6pm
WHERE: 779 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC [map]

Join us this Saturday for an afternoon of arts and crafts by local artists, as well as a clothing swap -- bring 5 items (or 5 dollars) and exchange your old threads for something different!

Local Artists Featured:

Nectarline - Handmade, Recycled Jewelry and Clothing by Julie Coyle and Gemma Dalton (nectarline.com)

Opal Designs - Handmade, Leather Jewelry, Clothing and other Accessories by Adelle Fitzpatrick (myspace.com/opaldesigns)

Original Paintings by Gemma Dalton

Handmade Men's Clothing by Jeremy Salig

Glass Pendants and Ornaments by Lampwork Artist Alex Greenwood (philmechanicstudios.com/loganalex.html)

Handcrafted Furniture by Woodworker Josh Janis

Photography by Evan Wathen (firebynightphotography.com)

Hosted by Nectarline and Opal Designs
Saturday, December 13th 2pm-6pm
779 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 [map]

(Located above the Westville Pub, Orbits DVD and Beauty Parade)

If you're worried about going out into the cold for shopping do not despair. These two little cuties will be selling hot chocolate and hot cider.

A Year in Asheville

Marty Weil, a freelance writer based in Asheville, North Carolina, announces today the publication of a picture book tie-in to his popular “A Year in Asheville” blog (http://www.a-year-in-asheville.com). The 166-page, hardcover book (also titled A Year in Asheville) is exclusively available through Weil’s publisher Blurb.com (http://www.blurb.com).

A Year in Asheville contains hundreds of images of everyday scenes shot in and around Asheville between September 29, 2007, and September 29, 2008.

“The photographs featured in A Year in Asheville highlight the special people and moments that typify life in this amazing and wonderful city,” says Weil.

Click here to order A Year in Asheville.

Bloggui Epidemic Ravages Asheville

Yes, there's been a invasion of the blog-snatchers. Many local bloggers have neglected their blogs recently, with varying reasons/excuses. Here are just a few who happen to offer attempts at explanation or apology:

Scrutiny Hooligans
Edgy Mama
So Much for Tact
Husband Wanted
Jennifor Saylor
Even AshVegas hasn't posted anything in nearly three days.

Are blogs dying? It's absolutely mind-blogging.

Cupcakes! The Big Crafty! Health and Harmony Expo!

Don't forget that today is the day our very own Asheville Blogger and cake goddess, Jodi from Short Street Cakes, is having an open house at her brand spankin' new, real life, brick and mortar bakery space at 225 Haywood Rd. from noon-6pm. Make sure you pop by, grab a mini cupcake and check out the new digs.



Tomorrow (Sunday, the 7th) is the Big Crafty Holiday craft show! From noon-6 downtown inside Pack Place downtown. There will be 100 local crafters selling their wares, food and drinks (free beer if you come early!), DJ music, a craffle, and tons of other great stuff. It is the perfect place to shop local, shop handmade for the holidays!!

Also on Sunday is the Children's Health and Harmony Expo! It is being held in the ballroom of the downtown Asheville Renaissance Hotel from 10-6 and will have all sorts of booths, activities and demos for and about kids. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo will also be performing. Bring the kids for a fun family day or leave 'em home to do some holiday shopping for the wee ones on your own.

Kids, Paws and Claus," a Charity Event for MANNA FoodBank

Carolina Mornings will host the first annual "Kids, Paws and Claus" charity event on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, noon-5 p.m. The event will be held in the heart of Biltmore Village inside the Biltmore Village Villas, complete with stunning holiday decorations, refreshments, a jolly Santa Claus and the opportunity to donate canned goods to the western North Carolina community.
Carolina Mornings is Asheville's leader in luxury mountain vacation rentals and is excited to be hosting an event contributing to MANNA FoodBank's efforts.

"Kids, Paws and Claus" offers a chance for entire families – kids, pets and kids at heart – to meet Santa Claus at the Biltmore Village Villas while helping MANNA FoodBank. Cameras and video cameras are welcome.

MANNA FoodBank is a non-profit organization that distributes food to 331 partner agencies in 16 counties in western North Carolina. MANNA FoodBank distributed more than six million pounds of food in 2007 and this year, they are hoping to do more. MANNA FoodBank's mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger.

"We want to collect as much food as possible. We hope that making the bins available at local businesses can help make it easier for people to give," said Goldstein.
Drop-off bins for canned goods are conveniently located at several businesses, including: T.G.I. Friday's and Bruegger's Bagels on Hendersonville Road, State Employees' Credit Union and Starbucks Coffee on All Souls Crescent Road, Rita's Cantina on Garfield Street and La Paz Restaurante and Cantina at Biltmore Plaza.

For additional information on the first annual "Kids, Paws and Claus" charity event, contact Shari Goldstein or visit: www.carolinamornings.com

Contact:
Shari Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer
Carolina Mornings
919-442-3001
http://www.carolinamornings.com

Long Overdue Bloggers Welcome!

Sock Monkey Quilt by local Quilt Artists, Fishy Fishy Quilts. See more of their purchasable work at their Etsy store
Y'all welcome this bloggers to our blogroll, as they have patiently waited for me to stop slacking!
There and Back Again
"...Mostly, riding the bus...and other throughts on alternatives to one person in a car."

Asheville to Argentina
"Exploring the idea of riding a dual sport motorcycle a really long way"

People Power Granny

Uncorked Imaging Blog
"Photographer Gilles Champagne"

Sonya Stone Blog
"photography, parenting, and other inspirations"

Pritchard Park Blog
"Pritchard Park is my fav place to people watch in downtown Asheville. A little excitement and a lot of individuality will have me exploring downtown for my next encounter on this trip called life. Hop on and enjoy the ride!"

Asheville's Hot
"restaurants, music, arts, more..."

Will Chatham Blog

Insatiable Curiosity
"Some Stuff In Jill's Head"

Asheville Business Blog

Life O' Mike
"Lifeomike isn't just about Mike. It's about everyone who has suffered because they couldn't access adequate health care."

Small Measure
"simple, daily gestures towards improving community, family, and planet"

Melissa Moss Art

We look forward to seeing y'all at our next gather, ahem, whenever that might be!
Daydream Quilt by local Quilt Artists, Fishy Fishy Quilts. See more of their purchasable work at their Etsy store

Recognize Leaders

"The YWCA is now accepting nominations for YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) Awards Banquet which will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. TWIN honors the professional achievements of women and companies who support the advancement of women. That evening, the YWCA will celebrate all of the TWIN 2009 Honorees. In addition, one woman will receive special recognition as “Honoree of the Year.” Proceeds from the event will benefit the YWCA’s many programs dedicated to the eliminating racism and empowering of women.The Honorary Chair of TWIN 2009 is Health Adventure President and CEO Paige Johnson, TWIN 2008 Honoree of the Year.

The YWCA TWIN nomination form can be downloaded from the YWCA website, www.ywcaofasheville.org, or can be requested by calling 254-7206 x 207. The deadline for nominations is January 9th, 2009.

If you or your company is interested in being a sponsor of the YWCA TWIN Banquet, contact Tami Ruckman, Development Director, at 254-7206 x 206." - link

Another local holiday craft fair

Today and tomorrow:

North Asheville Preschool will hold their annual holiday craft fair on Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3, from 8:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The preschool is located at Asbury Methodist Church at 171 Beaver Dam Rd. Crafts for sale will include ceramics, paintings, handmade children’s clothing, ornaments, soaps, jewelry, pillows and more. Crafters are all local moms and mompreneurs. Ten percent of sales go to support the school. There will also be a silent auction and bake sale. Yum!

The East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk

Most folks are familiar with the west Asheville renaissance that took place with the Bledsoe Building at its epicenter. What folks may not know is that on the east side of the west side there's another arts and business surge. Just east of I-240 on Haywood Road, a collection of entrepreneurs have teamed up to present the East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk. It's this Saturday from 10am - 6pm.

From their website:

Until recently, if you were to say ‘West Asheville’, thoughts usually ran to the shops and restaurants along Haywood Road at the Bledsoe Building and generally west of State Street. But in the past year alone, several new businesses have inhabited buildings along and adjoining Haywood Road immediately east and west of I-240. These new additions have expanded the mercantile strip of Haywood Road, creating another hub of eclectic businesses to draw drive by and walk by patrons into West Asheville.

On Saturday, December 6, several artists and businesses, including several that have opened within the past year, will host a Holiday Art Walk to welcome the holiday season and celebrate the diverse and growing small businesses of the area. Designated the “East West Asheville Holiday Art Walk”, the parameters of the event span the area on Haywood Road on both sides of I-240, and include Domino Lane – a side street off Westwood Place. Participating businesses include the Bloom Room, Blue Ribbon Hair, Minx and Runny Bunny, just west of I-240 on Haywood Road. On the east side, Haywood Road merchants include The Admiral Restaurant, Harvest Records, Blue Barnhouse, A Touch of Glass, Bookworks, Custom, Marty Mitchell Glass, Krug Creative and Steebo Designs. Crazy Green Studios, Mimi Strang Design and Pleasant Hugh Studio are located on Domino Lane. At press time, additional businesses were being added but had not yet been confirmed.

With ample street parking on Haywood Road and on adjoining side streets, all businesses can easily be reached on foot.