DowntownAsheville.com: Involved
"Community News from the Grassroots Up" TM
PUBLISHED BY MEDIABEAR.COM

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Feb. 18 meeting to help the homeless

Asheville-Buncombe’s Homeless Initiative will host a summit on homelessness for faith leaders on Feb. 18, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center. This interfaith summit will provide tools and information to engage more effectively in the lives of people who are homeless. This meeting is open to the public, and anyone who is a member of a faith group or is driven by their faith to help address the issues of homelessness is welcome to attend. For details, Click Here>

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Bike Love celebrates pedal power in Asheville
4th annual Bike Love features ride and music Feb. 20

Presented by Asheville On Bikes, Arts2People & French Broad Brewery. For details, Click Here>

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'The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil'
Free film to be held Feb. 22 and Feb. 26 at UU
Transition Asheville and Asheville Unitarian Universalist Church’s (UU) Social Justice Council announced that it will present "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" at two separate showings at UU: 1 p.m., Mon., Feb. 22, 2010 and 7 p.m., Fri., Feb. 26. For details, Click Here>

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U.S. Census mailings begin March 1st
Beware of scams
You will receive a U.S. Census form in the mail beginning March 1, 2010. You must answer the questions and return it by March 31st. If you do not, you can expect a U.S. Census representative to telephone you or knock on your door sometime in April to ask you the same questions that you could have responded to by mail. Whether you respond by mail or speak to a Census rep in person, there will only be 10 questions on the 2010 Census. This is one of the shortest list of questions in the history of the census. To review the 10 questions, Click Here> | Important Note: NONE of the 2010 Census questions ask for your Social Security number, your bank accounts or any specific financial information. If someone does, know that it is a scam. For more tips to avoid I.D. theft or being scammed by someone posing as a Census worker, visit Buncombecounty.org or Click Here> 

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Walk a mile in her shoes | April 24 fundraiser | Click Here>

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Retired Asheville firefighter wins $141 million Powerball
But check should really read $47 million
Frank Griffin, a retired Asheville fighterfighter with 20 years of service, bought the winning ticket for the Feb. 6, 2010, Powerball lottery drawing at the Wilco gas station on Smoky Mountain Highway in Asheville, reports Powerball.com. Griffin decided to take his winnings in one lump sum of $69 million. After federal and state taxes, he will wind up with about $47 million. Had Griffin decided to take his winnings over a 29 year period, he would have won the $141.4 million written on the check, less taxes. | What was the first thing that Frank Griffin did after news got out about his winnings? A Powerball spokesperson told DowntownAsheville.com: "He changed his telephone number (to a private listing)." | For more details about winner Frank Griffin, Click Here> | For frequently asked questions about Powerball, Click Here>

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What kind of city do we want to be? asks Mayor Bellamy

On Feb. 4, 2010, at the annual State of Downtown luncheon, Asheville mayor Terry M. Bellamy asked and answered the main question that the 100-plus attendees wanted to know: "What kind of city do we want to be... and how will we get there?"

For news and reactions to what she had to say, visit:

(1) Gannett's daily Citizen-times.com or Click Here>

(2) City councilmember Gordon Smith's blog ScrutinyHooligans.us. or Click Here>

Also, read an informative 11-page report, entitled "Asheville, NC 2010: A Financial Crossroads," which provided the mayor with many facts and figures to underline her position that Asheville needs a greater portion of tax dollars that are collected within the city, but unfairly redistributed to Buncombe County. For the white paper that was compiled by city staff and presented to city council on Jan. 4, 2010, by city manager Gary Jackson, Click Here>

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Beware of false solicitations for Fraternal Order of Police
Asheville police warn public about giving money over the phone

On Tues., Feb. 2, 2010, the Asheville Police Department (APD) reported that false solicitations are being made in the community on behalf of the APD.

An APD spokesperson said that the APD has received queries regarding phone calls made by people claiming to be affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Police and who have been asking for monetary donations for the police department.

"The Asheville Police Department does not engage in such solicitations," Chief Bill Hogan said. "The public should also be aware that the Fraternal Order of Police is not affiliated with this department."

Furthermore, Biltmore Forest police have advised the APD that their agency is currently investigating some of the solicitors for possible fraud in their jurisdiction, according to Chief Eric Tinsley.

Asheville police urge the community not to provide personal information such as names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, or any financial information over the phone, regardless of who the caller claims to represent.

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Asheville housing prices 22% overvalued, says study
CNNmoney.com reported a study of America's most overvalued and undervalued housing markets. Of 330 metro areas included in the nationwide study, Asheville is in the top 10 of most overvalued, according to IHS Global Insight/PNC Financial Services. | For CNNmoney.com article, Click Here> | For IHS Global Insight's complete study, Click Here>
 

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ACCESS ASHEVILLE

Live entertainment
*WHO'S PLAYING when and where | To link up to Downtown Asheville's best productions, Click Here>

Asheville downtown Master Plan approved
*ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL approved the controversial plan | For article by MountainXpress, entitled "Plan D," Click Here> | For a Powerpoint presentation of the plan, Click Here>

4B ... that's for me!
*MANY VOICES in support of Alternative 4B | What people think about the I-26 Connector proposal that improves quality of life by connecting Downtown Asheville with West Asheville for pedestrians and bicyclists. Click Here> | For Asheville Design Center, which proves 4B is better as a community builder, Click Here> | For MTX update about 4B alternative as part of a newly revised N.C. DOT plan, Click Here>

Or just humor me
*ECLECTIC Assortment | Laugh in the face of trying times. Click Here>

*TODAY'S Weather | And forecast. Click Here>
*AIR Quality | Forecast for ridges and valleys. Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Maps | Find your way. Click Here>
*GOOGLE Street Map | It's new. It's Big Brother. Click Here>
*LINKS Directory | Good stuff daily. Click Here>
*DOTS Daily | Financial wellness ideas. Click Here>

*UNITED WAY'S 211 | Connect to help. Click Here>
*POLICE Blotter | Asheville's latest arrests. Click Here>
*13 CALENDARS of Events | What's new to do. Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE'S Blog Heaven | Voice your opinion. Click Here>
*VISIT the Archives | News snapshots of 2008. Click Here>
*NATIONAL Do Not Call Registry| File a complaint. Click Here>

 
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE: View from proposed Baucatcher Overlook Park
*ASHEVILLE'S ONLY proposed mountain park: Click Here> 

*CITY ROAD CLOSINGS ONLINE to help drivers plan ahead | Drivers can try to circumvent local construction at ashevillenc.gov or Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS weekly talks every Friday at Bobo Gallery | For those who care about going green. Click Here>

*TAKE A HIKE in the Asheville area | Download an excellent walking guide to Asheville and Buncombe County: Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE'S CATERING WIZ AND WRITER Laurey Masterton brews a few laughs | At her expense, she's brewing with a smile. Click Here>

Asheville's "No Ads" Movie Theatre
*FINE FLICKS at the Fine Arts Theatre | For current schedule of Downtown's only independent movie theatre, Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE'S Comedy Club | Standup comedians. Click Here>

*TOP 21 Nightspots | For fun downtown. Click Here>
*PARTY Too Hearty? | Call four cabbies! Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Calendar | Any way you like it. Click Here>

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Buncombe tackles swine flu, CDC vaccine recommendations
*ON MAY 29, 2009,  Buncombe County Health officials announced one confirmed case of novel H1N1 virus in a Mission Hospital employee, and the look-out continues for new cases | For details, visit buncombecounty.org or Click Here> | For swine flu information from the CDC, Click Here> | For Flu View map of the US, Click Here> | For CDC's vaccine recommendations, Click Here>

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 ARTS NEWS

 *ASHEVILLE AREA Arts Council | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE ART Galleries | Dozens to visit | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Art Museum | View the monthly calendar | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN GALLERY Association | Click Here>
*RIVER DISTRICT Artists | Studio Stroll Nov. 14 & 15, 2009 | Click Here>

RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE IS THE REGION'S OLDEST AND
MOST WIDELY READ ARTS AND CULTURE MONTHLY

*Rapid River Magazine reports artfully | Click Here>

*The Urban News is Asheville's multicultural gateway | Click Here>

*WNC Magazine tells it beautifully | Click Here>

*WNC Woman touches hearts and minds | Click Here>

AND MORE...

*Asheville Disclaimer parodies the locals | Click Here>

*Asheville Purple Pages' is colorful and gay | Click Here>

 *WNC Green Building Council Catalog | To read the 2009 directory online, visit wncgreenbuilding.com or Click Here> | For past issues online, Click Here> | For details about the Council, visit wncgbc.org or Click Here>

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 ASHBIZ.COM
THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE

Free online SBA seminars
*ASHEVILLE S.C.O.R.E. PRESENTS business seminars for a fee as well as online Small Business Administration seminars for free| For details, Click Here>

*ASHEVILLE #41 Best Place | To live and launch | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Chamber of Commerce  | Active | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE Strategic Alliance | Professionals offer free seminars every Thursday | Click Here>
*ADVANTAGEWEST | Attracting business to WNC | Click Here>
*HUB | A catalyst for business collaboration | Click Here>
*MOUNTAIN BizWorks | Helping new businesses succeed | Click Here>
*REAL ESTATE Weekly | Articles and listings | Click Here>
*S.C.O.R.E. | Seasoned expert help | Click Here>

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MUSIC AND MORE

 

*WHO'S DOIN' The Peel? | One of America's best musical venues | Click Here>
*THE GREY EAGLE Live | Pickin', singin', playin' | Click Here>
*MALAPROP'S Books/Cafe | A Downtown favorite | Click Here>
*PEOPLE Watching | Real-time video on Battery Park Ave. | Click Here>

Barley's Click Here> | Jack of the Wood Click Here> | Stella Blue Click Here> | Tressa's Click Here> | Westville Pub Click Here>

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SHOPPING ASHEVILLE
Featuring Local Businesses and Organizations

*MONEY-SAVING COUPONS AVAILABLE ON CHAMBER'S WEBSITE, SaveInAsheville.com | To download online coupons provided by local businesses and professionals, Click Here>

*FOR MORE IDEAS at ShoppingAsheville.com, Click Here>

*FOR THE BILTMORE VILLAGE list of shops at BiltmoreVillage.com, Click Here>
 

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 HISTORICAL ASHEVILLE

*URBAN Trail | History worth walking | Click Here>
*HISTORIC Downtown | Architecture | Click Here>
*GROVE Arcade | Architectural Tour | Click Here>
*PHOTO Tour | of Downtown Asheville |  Click Here>
 

*RESTAURANTSasheville.com | Only unique restaurants in Asheville listed, such as Rosetta's Kitchen. | To find your favorite place, Click Here>

*AIRasheville.org | The trade group of Asheville's independent restaurants offers an excellent list of area eateries. | To link to scores of websites, Click Here>