Ashvegas

Leonard Cohen @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

2009-11-07T16:49:51Z

Repower America

2009-11-07T16:34:52Z

Ingrid Michaelson @ the Grey Eagle

2009-11-07T16:29:49Z

Unknown Hinson @ the Grey Eagle

2009-11-07T16:28:21Z

Christmas at Biltmore

2009-11-07T16:25:35Z

Trashy Mummies in Asheville

2009-11-07T16:24:39Z

Warren G @ the Orange Peel: 'Regulate'

2009-11-07T16:23:57Z

Happy Birthday, Rev. Billy Graham

2009-11-06T16:02:44Z

From CBNNews.com.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Friends and family say Graham's mind is alert, but that various ailments have left him physically fragile. He relies on a walker for balance and has trouble hearing. Macular degeneration has dimmed his eyesight.

Staff members read to him from the Bible and from various newspapers. The Rev. Don Wilton of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, S.C., where Graham is a member, visits weekly.

Graham, who preached to 210 million people in 185 countries during the heyday of his international crusades, remains an avid fan of TV newscasts and CNN's "Larry King Live." He is pursuing writing projects, namely a book on aging. Its tentative title: "Nearing Home."

Season's Greetings from WLOS, circa 1982

2009-11-06T14:14:48Z

Here's a great photo from loyal reader Kathi. Click here to see a larger version of the photo. I'll let Kathi tell you more about it:

Hey Jason – Thought your readers might enjoy this photo I recently dug up from my days as Promotion Manager at WLOS. This was taken in 1982 (yikes) and you’ll see there are some familiar faces still there today: Darcel Grimes, Stan Pamfilis, Sherrill Barber, and recently retired Bob Caldwell. For those who’ve been around a while, there are some others people may recognize: Lisa Clark from PM Magazine, weatherman Bob Becker, anchors Deborah Furr, Jerry Mayer and Larry Wheeler. And of course, Mort Cohn!

There are plenty of off-camera staffers who are still there and in this picture, and a bunch of others like myself who used to work there and are still in town. However, but you won’t find me in this picture. I was up on a ladder directing people – this was the station’s Christmas card and it was my department’s responsibility to produce it. Longtime WLOS production man Skeet Plemmons, also a commercial photographer – and who’s still at the station – took the picture.

Cheers!

Kathi

Ashvegas reader asks: What's the latest with Sweet Rock Candy Mountain?

2009-11-06T14:06:22Z

Here's the note from loyal reader Michael:

I've driven by the location where they are supposed to be for a while now and I just noticed that they are not open and their sign is now off the building. Have you heard if they changed their mind or the deal fell through? Their website and facebook page are still active but there doesn't seem to be any word. I know you had reported they'd be open by oct 1. Would love to know, their menu and location looked promising.

Anybody heard any new information?

Merrimon Avenue happenings: Work on the former location of The Hop has started; and sign says Sisters McMullin moving to old Domino's building

2009-11-05T23:12:10Z

A few more tips from loyal readers and what they're seeing:

- Work has been going on at the old location of the hop on merrimon- would love to know whats being planned for that space.

- A sign in the window of the long-abandoned Domino's pizza building on North Merrimon says The Sisters McMullin Bakery is coming to that location.That's according to the signage...Anybody else heard that news?

Anybody got any details?

Waldenbooks to close store at Biltmore Square Mall

2009-11-05T23:06:41Z

Another blow to the Biltmore Square Mall. Press release here:

As part of Borders Group's ongoing strategy to right-size its Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment and emerge with a smaller, more profitable mall chain in fiscal 2010, the retailer will close approximately 200 mall stores in January, leaving approximately 130 mall-based locations open. A list of mall stores expected to close is included in this news release and has been posted at www.borders.com/waldenstorelist.

The list is not final and is subject to change pending finalization of agreements over the coming weeks. Importantly, today's announcement regarding the mall business does not include Borders superstores or the company's seasonal mall kiosk business, which includes over 500 Day by Day Calendar Co. units, among other mall-based retail concepts.

Store closing list here.

AvL Technologies to consolidate, expand offices in Woodfin

2009-11-05T22:34:35Z

AvL Technologies, a real success story on the Asheville manufacturing scene, plans to consolidate its offices and facilities in the Reynolds Village development in Woodfin, the Weaverville Tribune is reporting. AvL makes satellite antennas.

From the Weaverville Tribune:

"An Asheville manufacturer of satellite technology will relocate its offices to the Reynolds Village development in Woodfin. AvL Technologies is under contract with Reynolds Mountain and currently plans to move in the second or third quarter of of 2010," according to a company spokeswoman.

Just last month, a board approved AvL Technologies' request for $6.5 million in federal stimulus bonds. The company said it wanted the money to buy a new building and expand its business. Now we know where they're going to be located.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported in October that AVL Technologies owner Jim Oliver told the board approving the bonds that he employs 136 workers who make an average of $24 an hour manufacturing portable satellite antennas used by major television news networks, the U.S. military and even the White House.

This is huge news for Woodfin, which in the midst of a remarkable transformation. With the help of the Reynolds Mountain development, there's a new downtown being built right before our very eyes. Securing a major manufacturer such as AvL Technologies just confirms Woodfin's status as the hot spot in Buncombe County, in my mind.

Warren G is on the streets of Ashvegas today

2009-11-04T20:05:07Z

Got this note from a loyal reader. Sweet:

ASHEVILLE — Rap legend Warren G will be in Asheville before his show at The Orange Peel tonight to greet fans.

According to an Orange Peel e-mail, Warren G will be at New York Fashions between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. The shop is at 120B Merrimon Avenue.

After that, he'll be at Arsenal Shoes and maybe a few other stops at the Asheville Mall (between 3:30 and 5:30pm).

Warren G got his start in the Long Beach rap scene in the early '90s, and became a household name with the smash single "Regulate," a duet with longtime friend Nate Dogg, and its accompanying album, "Regulate...G Funk Era".

Warren G grew up in Long Beach listening to his parents’ extensive collection of jazz, soul and funk records, also frequently hanging out at the local V.I.P. record store. He and his childhood friends Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg formed their first rap group as teens, called 213 after their area code.

In addition to his solo work, Warren G honed his producing skills making beats for artists such as MC Breed and 2Pac. He released a new album in September.

His show starts at 9 p.m. tonight.

The Costume Shoppe in Asheville is moving this weekend

2009-11-04T16:49:36Z

Update from loyal reader JBo on The Costume Shoppe on Haywood Street in Asheville. They're moving this weekend. Thanks JBo!

The Costume Shoppe is moving this weekend to 32 North Lexington and we need to say farewell to lots of stuff!! So we are having a big sale.

Susan is such a pack rat and thinks she needs everything that someone might possibly need for a show, production or event. Well, we've talked her into letting go....just let it go!!! So, yeah, she is marking prices on everything and we aren't setting our cups or jackets down or we may never see them again!!

The sale starts Tuesday, Nov 3rd and goes all week to Saturday Nov 7th. The sale is at 243 Haywood Street and is during regular hours, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

You won't get another chance like this one. New things will be added everyday as she uncovers more and more great stuff.

Come on over! It will be better than the first yard sale at the old store on Broadway.