More of what’s going around this fine day:
-The city of Asheville has received almost $1 million in federal grant money to enhance portions of Lexington Avenue and Coxe Avenue. Dana Frankel, the city’s downtown development specialist, said the money will be used to redesign the streets to make them safe for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Work to turn the roadways into “complete streets” can include everything from parking and tree planting to greenways and bike lanes. Some $420,000 will go toward Coxe Avenue, while Lexington Avenue will get $540,000 in improvements. (The city of Asheville will also pitch in some $$$.) Frankel delivered her update to the Asheville Downtown Commission on Friday.
-Frankel also updated the commission on work to continue Pritchard Park renovations, which started earlier this year. The work includes a new year-round water fountain, new sprinkler system, new iron picket fencing, new plantings and planting beds, new seating, new lighting and higher visibility in landscape design as part of crime prevention recommendations. (Some homeless people I’ve talked with believe the new construction is aimed at keeping them away.) The work will start in January and will cost about $230,000. The city also has a new maintenance contract to better maintain the park, Frankel said. Portions of park may be closed during construction, which will take about 15 weeks.
-A group is planning an Asheville Fine Art Show on May 20-21 at the U.S. Cellular Center. The show is produced by Hot Works, which produces arts and craft shows around the U.S. I’m told that this show is planned for the same weekend as the annual Studio Stroll in the River Arts District.
-Organic Growers School has announced the re-launch of Apprentice Link, the online matching service and directory to connect regional farms and aspiring farm apprentices, and the launch of the the newly created OGS Farm Network database, according to a press release. Both online resources are free, available to the public, and listed on the OGS website at organicgrowersschool.org.
-Chall Gray, who consults on the design and operation of bar, restaurant and theater through his Slings & Arrows Consulting in Asheville, has announced that he’s signed a book deal with White Mule Press to write a book about how to concept, design and open a cocktail bar.
-Stuart Dunn, formerly of the Corner Kitchen restaurant in Biltmore Village, has taken the reins at Corner Kitchen Catering, according to a press release. Dunn has a wide range of experience in the hospitality industry, from humble beginnings as an adolescent dishwasher to front of the house service including bartending, wine service, management, and of course server and floor captain. Corner Kitchen Catering provides everything from delivered box lunches to full service reception and wedding services.
-Former Asheville Citizen-Times reporter Jon Ostendorff, who left the newspaper in July to join Mission Hospitals as regional communications and advocacy manager, has left to take a new job as editor of Smoky Mountain Living magazine, according to LinkedIn.
-Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center has announced a call for artists to participate in the 2017 {Re}HAPPENING in March. Here’s more from a press release:
We invite artists to propose projects that reflect the innovative spirit of Black Mountain College. Artists are encouraged to take risks and demonstrate elements of process, spontaneity, experimentation, collaboration, and audience participation. Each selected artist project will receive a $250 honorarium.
ARTISTS OF ALL GENRES AND DISCIPLINES are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI should be a brief one-page outline that describes the project, includes participating artists and how the project connects to the Black Mountain College legacy. The LOI deadline is December 21, 2016 – please email LOIs to rehappening@blackmountaincollege.org
-Asheville band The Moon and You is playing the Holiday Mingle and Jingle at Habitat Tavern and Commons on Dec. 16. Here are the details:
Who: Habitat Tavern and Commons with Violet Owl Wellness and The Moon and You
What: Holiday Mingle & Jingle, a benefit and fun community event featuring live music, a raffle with tons of great prizes donated by local businesses, and a hot dog truck!
Where: Habitat Tavern & Commons, a new local, communal space to connect, collaborate and drink local
When: Friday, December 16th from 6pm – 10pm
Why: Habitat is donating sales from the event to Hood Huggers.