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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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More of what’s going around, including word of a new Crossfit competition called the Appalachian Games:

-The folks at Summit Crossfit have announced that they’ll be hosting a new Crossfit competition called the Appalachian Games at the WNC Ag Center on April 14. That date had been the weekend of the annual River Ruckus competition for Crossfit folks, but Ruckus organizers announced at the start of the year that they wouldn’t be hosting the spring competition so they could focus their attention on their fall event, the Beer City Beatdown at the US Cellular Center. Enter the Appalachian Games, which will be an indoor/outdoor event that will have a variety of workouts and competitions for Crossfitters.

-Speaking of Crossfit, the owner of Blue Ridge Ridge Crossfit in Fletcher has apologized for posting a controversial Instagram video, WLOS reports. The Instagram story showed close-ups of the backsides of women in black yoga pants in a bent-over position while exercising, and included the hash-tagged words “dayumm,” “humpday” and “blueridgegirls.” Someone screen-shotted the video and shared the pictures, along with a post criticizing them, on social media, WLOS reports. Hundreds of people began criticizing Blue Ridge Crossfit, and owner Tom Tomlo originally defended his actions, saying the stills were taken out of context. Tomlo later apologized, and said in an interview that he didn’t mean to offend anyone, adding that the women in the knew he was recording them, according to the TV station. At least one woman has come forward to tell WLOS that she didn’t know she was being recorded in such a demeaning way.

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries will host the grand opening of Abba’s House, a residential substance abuse recovery facility for mothers and newborns beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. The event follows years of planning and construction. The facility is Western Carolina Rescue Ministries’ response to the opioid epidemic and opioid-addicted babies. Abba’s House is an 18-month recovery program which allows pregnant mothers to live in a safe, secure home while being treated for and recovering from opioid addiction. The facility, part of the WCRM campus on Patton Avenue in downtown, has 14 mommy-baby rooms with features such as sound-proofing, special lighting and extra security measures. As part of the grand opening event, visitors can tour the facility, meet the staff and support team of Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, as well as donate items such as diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, and other essentials to the mommy-baby rooms, according to a press release.

-The Grey Eagle is hosting a chili cook-off on Sunday, Jan. 21, in conjunction with the NFL playoffs, which will be shown on the venue’s big screen. Tickets to taste the chili cost $10 and tasters can vote on their favorite. The winner’s chili will be served at the Grey Eagle’s Super Bowl Party on Feb. 3. The cost to enter the contest is $20. Email [email protected] if you want to enter.

-Also, the Grey Eagle Taqueria and Highland Brewery are co-hosting a beer pairing dinner created by Chef Justin Keith beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. The cost is $40 per person. The four-course dinner includes dishes like Gulf Coast shrimp tostadas paired with Highland Mandarina IPA and a smoked pork and poblano stew paired with Highland Gaelic Ale.

-Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter in Asheville honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King by recognizing the City of Asheville’s sanitation workers and providing them breakfast, according to a press release. More:

The members of the Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter chose to honor the City of Asheville’s Sanitation workers because they stand with Dr. King in believing everyone deserves economic equality and to show their appreciation to the workers for what they do to support every resident of the City of Asheville. January 15, 2018, also marks Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 110 Anniversary. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the first Greek-letter sorority brought into being in 1908 as a support network for women of color. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter was chartered on March 31, 1940 in Asheville, NC. The Chapter provides educational and enrichment services to students through the ASCEND program, which is a national program developed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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