Asheville Chamber of Commerce numbers guru Tveidt to leave

Here's the press release. Tveidt has been a wealth of information about business and demographic trends in Asheville over the years. His expertise will surely be missed.

Press release:

The Economic Development Coalition for Asheville – Buncombe County (EDC) announces the departure of Director of Research Tom Tveidt. Tveidt, a ten-year veteran of the economic development team leaves the EDC to manage the project load of his growing economic research consulting firm full-time.  Tveidt’s last day with the EDC will be November 20.

The research department of the EDC provides valuable data on the Asheville metropolitan area to the community, its leaders, local business owners, and companies considering moving to the area. The research department specializes in industry-specific market research, economic impact studies, demographic information, as well as historical trends and area comparisons.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have someone with Tom’s expertise and talents as a resource in our community for the past decade,” stated Ben Teague, executive director of the Economic Development Coalition.  Teague continued, “The research that he has provided has assisted numerous existing businesses and many companies considering a move or expansion in Buncombe County.  All of us at the EDC are committed to serving our community through economic research and are confident that our research team will continue to be a model for other communities.”

Bob Roberts, Board Chair of the Economic Development Coalition, thanked Tveidt for his service stating, “Tom will be missed by all of us in the business community. His work has helped to make Asheville and Buncombe County an easier place in which to do business.”  Roberts will recognize Tveidt for his service during the EDC Board meeting on November 19 at 8 a.m. at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tveidt has led the research efforts for the Economic Development Coalition since joining the staff in 1999 and is considered one of the leading experts on the Asheville metropolitan area economy. “My departure comes at a time when the EDC is in the strongest position I have seen in my time here. It is a decision that I have struggled with for some time now but with the current leadership and team in place I know the community is in good hands,” said Tveidt.

The Economic Development Coalition’s research department will continue to serve as the economic research entity for Asheville and the Buncombe County area. Economic and demographic research information is available through the EconomicDevelopmentAsheville.org website. 

Tupelo Honey to hire 70 for new Hendersonville Road location

Check out the press release below. Tupelo Honey is one of the most popular restaurants around town, and now expanding. I'm sure they'll be swamped.

To that point: I overheard a couple of people talking last night about Urban Outfitters hiring for their new store now under construction in downtown Asheville. The folks talking said Urban Outfitters had been totally overwhelmed with job applications. Here's a list of jobs that have been advertised. Just goes to show that we're still in a rough economy.

Here's the press release:

In a nation that is strife with unemployment woes, Asheville’s Tupelo Honey Café plans to interview and hire for 70 open positions during a job fair at the restaurant’s south side location, 1829 Hendersonville Road, from Monday, November 30th through Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

Consistent with the Tupelo Honey brand positioning as “Asheville’s New South Kitchen,” both locations will offer a menu brimming with eclectic southern culinary favorites, as well as support regionally grown food and Western North Carolina’s farm-to-table culture. Opening January 2010, the Hendersonville Road location will feature many inspired pieces from local artists and craftspeople, as well as several salvaged architectural elements that reflect Asheville’s rich history and charm.

“As is reflected in our downtown location, our new restaurant will encompass what is considered to be the essence of Asheville”, said Steve Frabitore, who is opening the new location. “We are delighted to be able to offer Asheville residents a unique dining experience in this part of town”, added Frabitore, noting the new venue will be able to host large parties and will also take reservations.
“We also take great pride in our employee community,” said Frabitore. “Our downtown employees are so much of what makes Tupelo Honey a great experience. We’re looking for the same great employees in our new restaurant.”

The job interviews will be held at the 1829 Hendersonville Road location from approximately 9am-5pm each day, and will cover both front and back-of-house positions such as, managers, servers, line and prep cooks, dishwashers and hosts. Interviews for specific positions are planned for set scheduled times over the three-day job fair and require a completed job application in addition to an updated resume, job references and appropriate personal identification. For a job application download and more information regarding interview time schedules and pre-interview requirements, please visit, www.tupelohoneycafe.com or call (828) 505-7676 during fair hours.

Mythos costume party and tattoo art show set for Nov. 14

Strobe-crotched performer Peaches hits Orange Peel crowd with a show to remember

The performer Peaches hit Asheville Wednesday night and left quite an impression. In the words of reviewer and loyal Ashvegas reader Mick, "that Peaches show was one of the more bizarre concert experiences I've ever had."

Here's the review:

Peaches is known to shock, and she did not disappoint. The sex-crazed Canadian electroclash rocker, best known for songs like Fuck the Pain Away and Shake Yer Dix, celebrated her 43rd birthday last night with a sweaty, pulsating Orange Peel crowd of 400 or so.

She came out dressed like a spider, flanked by go-go boys (and girls), and then donned a series of '80s-inspired but somehow futuristic get-ups that would have fit perfectly on the set of the movie Blade Runner. For her birthday, or maybe just because she felt like it, she spit a bottle of champagne on the crowd and surfed for a solid 20 minutes. Then she and her (mostly shirtless) band blasted out tunes from her new album, I Feel Cream, and put on a show that somehow artfully referenced rock-n-roll stage cliches but also made the most of both the pure pageantry of rock and a surplus of raw sexual energy. (Though one of the best of her new songs is the surprisingly tender Talk to Me).

The crowd, with plenty of queens, queers and a healthy S&M contingent, rocked right along with Peaches when she put on a gold cape, strapped a strobe light to her crotch and let loose. When she came out for a second encore — wearing a pair of plastic tits, of course — she encouraged the crowd to take their shirts off, and plenty did.

Not bad for a Wednesday, Asheville.

Wowzer. I'm sorry I missed that. I'm feelin' the Talk to Me tune.

A different type of trivia night for Asheville

Here's the note I received recently from loyal reader Kipper:

Hi there, my name is Kipper Schauer,

After visiting Asheville for years on end and even convincing my parents to move here 4 years ago, I too have taken the plunge and become a citizen of the city of Asheville.

I'm doing my best to bring my creativity into the scene here, and that is mainly through my Trivia Night. It's not your standard trivia night by any means. Where as I have found most of the other Trivia Nights in Asheville to be boring competitions centered around quietly answering obscure facts about history and geography, we focus on pop culture and in a much more exciting manner. Movies, TV, Music, Comic Books, Celebrities, and a large helping of profanity are par for the course. Currently I'm hosting it over at The New French Bar on Wednesday nights at 9pm, and I'd be honored if you'd be interested in coming by and seeing how we do things. 

-kipper

Heath Shuler: Quarterbacking a charity football event and defending a health care vote

Jason Sandford

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler has been in the spotlight this week for his vote against a landmark health care bill in the U.S. House over the weekend. Shuler was one of a group of conservative Democrats who voted against the sweeping legislation, which seeks to greatly expand the number of Americans who are covered.

I asked Shuler about his vote on the day after. He was quarterbacking a team of N.C. Highway Patrol troopers at Owen High School. The team went up against a team of Asheville Police Department officers quarterbacked by Brad Johnson. Both Shuler and Johnson are from Western North Carolina and played in the NFL, though Johnson had a much longer than Shuler's short-lived stint. (Johnson's team won.)

Shuler said he voted against the legislation because it was too costly. You can hear him tell me his reasoning in this video.

As Shuler continues to explain his vote, a couple of organizations are planning to tell him how they feel. MoveOn.org and Health Care for America Now are organizing a rally outside Shuler's Asheville office to be held Thursday. The organizations, as you might imagine, disapprove of Shuler's vote.

In one other note, an Ashvegas reader tells me that she recently received an interesting phone call. Here's loyal reader Sharon:

Hi, Ash! Last night, I got a call asking me to thank Heath Shuler for voting against the harmful "Pelosi care" bill. I confess I gave the woman on the other end quite an earful. Has anybody else been receiving these calls? Any idea what organization is behind it? I suspect it was an insurance company or lobbying group, rather than Shuler's people themselves.

Anyone?

News of the week: Hillcrest Apartments fire

Jason Sandford

A mother, right, and her daughter react as they watch fire consume their apartment at Hillcrest Apartments on Monday.

Veteran's Day 2009: Grief and remembrance

Jason Sandford

Veteran's Day. Never forget.

Caught on tape: Rockslide

Amazing video. Shot on Hwy 64 near Murphy.

Former WLOS director of sales promoted to general manager at KVMY

Here's the press release:

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) announced that Ms. Audra Swain was named General Manager for KVMY-TV (MNT 21) and KVCW-TV (CW 33) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The announcement was made by Steve Marks, Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair’s television group.

In making the announcement, Mr. Marks said, "Audra has done an outstanding job in leading the sales efforts for our ABC and MyNetwork affiliates, WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV, in the Asheville, NC/Greenville, SC market. The promotion to General Manager is a role for which Audra has prepared. After leading our local sales efforts at our FOX affiliate and flagship station, WBFF-TV in Baltimore, Audra successfully took on the position of Director of Sales of these two important stations in Asheville, and is now ready for her next challenge of leading the efforts of our stations in Las Vegas. Her experience in generating revenues, even in difficult economic times, as well as her handling of duopoly markets made her the perfect choice for this exciting new challenge."

'Asheville loves Henry'

On Sunday, Laurey's Catering held a pancake breakfast and raised $10,000 $16,500 to help offset the medical bills of a little boy named Henry Thome. Henry is the son of two of Laurey's employees. It was a great scene, with people lined up out the door. Asheville is a giving town; Laurey (I shot her Sunday morning flipping flapjacks) is a giving woman, and the event was a huge success.

But the giving doesn't stop. Today, businesses across Asheville will be donating part of the money they make to help Henry. BlogAsheville summed it up best, so here goes:

On Wednesday Nov. 11, shop and spend for a good cause: the medical bills of 14-month-old Ashevillean Henry Thome, born with a rare genetic condition that causes severe immune deficiencies and anemia. Henry's condition requires expensive procedures at Duke Children's Hospital, and while his family has insurance, it won't pay for massive and mounting bills.

To help the Thome family, area businesses all over town are donating 11 percent of their profits on Nov. 11 to the Thomes. Participating businesses range from frame shops to spas to computer repair, so check out the list below and plan your haircuts, pedicures and brunches accordingly!

There's also a Sunday Nov. 8 benefit pancake brunch at Laurey's Catering on Biltmore Ave., 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Breakfast/brunch (killer Laurey's pancakes, coffee and juice) is $10 and kids are free.

Learn more about Henry and his 11% on 11/11 event here. Donate directly here.

Participating businesses

* Lola Salon & Gallery Hair Cuts, Color & Special Occasion Styles

* Laurey's Catering Don't Postpone Joy

* Limone's A Different World of Mexican Cuisine.

* Burgermeisters Gourmet Burgers, Hearty Sandwiches & More

* Beans & Berries Your Local Smoothie Cafe Coffee

* Scully's Signature Dine & Drink

* Salon 6478 Detailed Care Salon

* Sensibilities Day Spa Dedicated to Your Health, Wellness & Relaxation.

* Samsel Architects Award-Winning Architectural Design

* the L.O.F.T. Lost Objects - Found Treasures

* Asheville Wine Market Quality Wines, From All Over The World

* City Bakery Gourmet Breads, Pastries & Sandwiches

* Full Circle Salon Full Service Salon

* Tressa's Jazz Bar Downtown Jazz & Blues

* the Cleaning Lady A Full Service Cleaning Service

* Pattie Moore, CPA Public Accountant

* Wink Heads and Threads Half Hip Salon, Half Equally Fab Shop

* Charlotte Street Computers Complete Mac & PC Service, Repair & Consulting

* Michelle Miller with Double Exposure Art A Fine Art Printmaking Studio

* Mellow Mushroom Happiness As Expressed In Pizza

* The Gardener's Cottage Home Accessories, Fresh Flowers, Antiques and Gifts

* The Old North State Clothing Company

* Mamacitas Fresh, Made From Scratch Mexican Cuisine

* Nest Organics Organic, Pure & Sustainable Products

* Mo Daddy's Dirty South Cookin' Along With Live Music

* Fig Bistro Serving Modern French Cuisine

* Spa at Biltmore Village Luxury Day Spa for Men and Women

* Marilyn Biggers Massage Therapy You deserve a massage, and you know it!

* Ingrid Miller Massage Therapy Massage Therapy

* Lucy Anne Fine Women's Clothier

* BlackBird Frame & Art Local Art Gallery and Picture Framing

* Jersey Mike's Merrimon Avenue (4 - 6 PM) 674 Merrimon Avenue

Green River racing

Here's another great shot from Asheville photographer Anthony Bellemare. It's a photo from Saturday's kayak races on the treatcherous Green River. See the full photo essay here: http://abellemare.com/the-green-river-race/.
Check out his work. Hire him. You won't be disappointed.

Craggie Brewing, Asheville's newest brewery, nears opening

Asheville's Craggie Brewing has been in the works for two years and it's on the verge of opening. I chatted with co-owner Jonathan Cort on Saturday, and he told me the opening date, then promptly asked me not to broadcast it until Craggie sends out a press release alerting everyone. Here's how Cort put it without giving away the date: "After two years, we're so close it hurts."

Craggie Brewing's opening is much anticipated after a couple of years of small tastings for friends and the explosion of the Asheville beer scene. What are we up to now - nine breweries in Buncombe County? Incredible.

Cort, who co-owns Craggie Brewing with brewer Bill Drew, says they'll open with Battery Hill Bitter, an English-style ale, as well as a kolsch and a Belgian ale. Sounds awesome. Good luck to Craggie Brewing. Can't wait for your opening!

Fanaticon web site now up and running

Fanaticon, an Asheville celebration of comics and their fans set for May 15, 2010, has its web site up and running. As a longtime comics fan, I can't wait to see this event. Here's the note from organizer and loyal reader Michael:

My name is Michael and I've sent you info for your blog in the past. I am one of the people putting on FANATICON. I noticed that you had mentioned the event before in your blogs and I appreciate you bringing it to people's attention.

I wanted to let you know that the site is now officially up and running and there are some announcements of guests as well as special hotel rates for the weekend. We will be updating the site as we get more speakers, etc.

Perhaps if you re-blog about the event you could put out a call for local artists, retailers and speakers if they want to be involved. We are going to be having a costume contest as well as a Poster Design Contest.

Here's a sample of some of what's already scheduled for Fanaticon:

Spookyco (Eric Morin)
Author and illustrator of www.normancomic.com, writer and illustrator of self-published books, fine art prints and writer of the upcoming webcomic The Littlest Zombie.

Urbnpop (Chris Hamer)
Chris Hamer is a cartoonist who paints his original characters on found objects, as well as other mediums. Mr. Hamer has two published comics, and his work can be seen in galleries in CA, GA, NY, TX and FL.

Organic Armor (Jennifer Murphy)
At the junction of popular culture, inner fantasy and universal archetype you’ll find Organic Armor’s specialty costumes and accessories. Crossing many genres (Steampunk, SciFi, Fairie, Tribal Bellydance and more), the work looks like ancient metal, bone and leather. Unlike the real thing, it’s all lightweight and comfortable; great for clubs, rituals, festivals, on stage, or in the backyard.

Black Mountain's Dynamite Roasting Co. to celebrate one-year anniversary

Here's the press release. Congratulations!

Event: Dynamite One Year Birthday Bash

Date: 11/14/2009

Time: 8am until 8pm

Location: Dynamite Roasting Co. Roastery and Coffee Bar

Address: 3198 Hwy. 70 West, Black Mountain, NC

Dynamite Roasting Co. Will Celebrate One Year Anniversary!

Andy Gibbon and Josh Gibbs, co-owners of Dynamite Roasting Co. in Black Mountain, NC announce the celebration of the anniversary of their first year in business.

Dynamite's first birthday bash will be held Saturday, November 14^th at their roastery and coffee bar just west of Black Mountain on highway 70. The shop is between Dukes Hot Dogs and Sherwin Williams paint store. The address is 3198 Highway 70 west.

Festivities begin at 8am and will continue until 8pm. Free coffee and espresso will be served all day. Events include guided tastings with Roastmaster Andy Gibbon and a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony led by Debra Kiliru-Liontree of Motherland International.  Live music will begin at 1pm, including sets by Dave Desmelik and the Hillbilly Cadavers, Seth Kauffman of Floating Action, and singer-songwriter Jenne Sluder.

Dynamite Roasting Co. is a small-batch artisan coffee roaster that offers delicious, organic and fair-trade coffees from around the world. The coffee is available by the cup or by the pound at their retail location on highway 70 and is also available at a myriad of coffee shops, restaurants and grocery outlets throughout western North Carolina. For more info about Dynamite Roasting Co. visit www.dynamiteroasting.com or call 828.243.4085.

Contact Info:

Josh Gibbs (Co-Owner: Sales, Marketing, Public Relations) 828.545.7460

Andy Gibbon (Co-Owner: Roast Master, Production, Orders) 828.243.4085

Margaret Gibbs (Cafe Manager, Head Barista) 828.275.5796

dynamiteroasting@gmail.com

www.dynamiteroasting.com

                                                                                                 

Motorcycle film free screening today

Here's the notice:

Just wanted to give you a hot tip about a free movie screening this weekend.  The director flew in from India to Ashevegas to present his two motorcycle documentaries.  Here's some info:

Please find the screening details of two award winning  films we are showing on 7th and 8th November at Carolina Cinemas in Asheville.  Entry to both the events is free.

Screening of two award winning films  - One Crazy Ride and Riding solo to the Top of the World.

The director  Gaurav Jani will be in attendance at both screenings and will be available for  questions and answers following the presentations.  Entry to the events  is free and you are welcome to invite others.

Date: 8th November, 2009 (Sunday)
Film: Riding  solo to the top of the world
Time: 03:00 PM
Where: Carolina Cinemas,  
            1640  Hendersonville  Rd.
            Asheville,  NC 28803-3258  


Trailer of both the films at the following link.
http://dirttrackproductions.com/trailers/ridingsolo/index.html

About the film  Riding solo to the top of the World:

Riding Solo... is an award winning  film about filmmaker Gaurav Jani's solo motorcycle journey from
Mumbai to  one of the remotest places in the world, the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh,  bordering China. As
a one-man film unit, he astonishes you, filming the  landscape he passes by and the people he interacts with,
capturing moments  of beauty, pain, love, hardship, self doubt and spiritual  triumphs.

Film website: http://www.dirttrackproductions.com/

Ashvegas reader: Artimus Pyle involved in bar fight

An Ashvegas reader writes in to tell me that he witnessed one hell of a bar fight Saturday night involving Artimus Pyle. As you all know, Pyle is the 61-year-old former drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd. 

Pyle was aquitted in a Florida court in August on charges of failing to register as a sex offender and lying on a driver's license application.

Here's loyal reader Joshua's account of the Saturday night brawl:

I was at Ruby’s last night and some young guy punched Artimus Pyle in the face who in turn, broke a beer bottle on his face… wow! The fight that instantly broke out included twenty to thirty people (pretty much the entire bar). They brawled and paused about eight times moving to all sections of the bar, including the dart area, behind the bar, by the pool tables and (my favorite) Artimus somehow ended up back on stage while the now shirtless and blood covered young guy stood in the middle of the floor, the fighting paused, the two stared at each other with half mad eyes, Artimus tugged his fingerless leather gloves on, blood streaming from his eye now, the air crackled and Artimus dove and the whole thing began anew!

So my question for you is…. What in the hell happened to start such a thing??? It was straight out of a movie with a dozen cop cars showing up, no body being allowed to leave, all that craziness…

Let me know if you hear anything,

J

Cycling business in downtown Asheville for sale

I recently came across a listing announcing the sale of a downtown Asheville cycling business. I'm assuming it is Hearn's Cycling & Fitness bicycle shop. The announcement says the business, founded in 1896, is the longest continuous business in Asheville. The asking price is $400,000.

Here's more:

Located in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, this business was founded in 1896 and is the longest continuous company in Asheville. It provides sales, service, parts of bicycles with a special niche in the buying and selling of preowned bicycles. It is located in a 5,000 foot facility in downtown Asheville. The current owner has doubled the sales in the last 6 years of his ownership. It is a perfect opportunity for someone or a couple who love the mountains, enjoy helping people by providing products and services that add to the health of their clients through exercise, is green, and makes money.

Leonard Cohen @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Repower America