Questions: Local banks getting bail-out cash? And where’s best downtown wi-fi?

Jason Sandford
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Loyal reader Susan asks for help with the following questions:

1). I heard a rumor today that Carolina First and Mountain 1st Bank both received funds from the bank bailout money. Can anyone confirm or deny?
 
@). Maybe the techies can tell me the best places in downtown Asheville to pick up free WI FI. I can’t seem to pick up the city’s WIFI anywhere. I know of Green Sage and Dripolator. Help please?!

10 Comments

Oni January 31, 2009 - 5:31 pm

I suspected Mountain 1st had money problems when they ceased allowing overdrafts. Instead of letting overdrafts go through and charging a fee, now they lock down your account until you pay it back. Making me think that they don’t have any money to cover overdrafts.

I think I’ll be switching to BoA soon…

Orange Cat January 30, 2009 - 6:32 pm

All the libraries have free wifi – but no coffee.

time 2 part t January 30, 2009 - 5:49 pm

I just discovered a new wireless hot spot: Upstairs over the Grove Arcarde corner market. Strangely, City Bakery does not have wireless, but of course the Drip down the street does.

Jeremy January 30, 2009 - 4:07 pm

Montford Books & More (formerly Readers’ Corner) has wi-fi as well. I’ve not tried their connection, but the staff was super friendly when I went in for the first time yesterday.

Celo January 30, 2009 - 2:18 pm

Other good spots for wireless:
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Firestorm Cafe & Books
True Confections in the Grove Arcade
Jack of the Wood

I’d go to Flying Frog and New French Bar except they’re smoky.

newspaper reader January 30, 2009 - 1:29 pm

Someone told me that the Times-News did the story on the banks getting bail out money. I wonder why the CTimes didn’t run it. Oh, yes, I remember, the banks run big ads in the CTimes. No conflict there.

James Shea January 30, 2009 - 2:50 am

Thanks. In my opinion, this is a big story, and it has gotten no play locally. I don’t think the C-T, WLOS or Mountian Xpress have done to story. Check out bailoutsleuth.com if you want the complete list.

Ash January 30, 2009 - 12:46 am

James, thank you. Nicely done.

Gordon, great suggestions. Thank you.

Gordon Smith January 30, 2009 - 12:43 am

Some favorite spots:

New French Bar
Flying Frog
Malaprops
Izzy’s

James Shea January 30, 2009 - 12:26 am

Ashe,

I wrote the article about Mountain First and Carolina First getting TARP money. BB&T and Sun Trust also got money, but I did not focus on them, as they are not local. Here is a link to the story: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20090119/TOPSTORIES/901180996

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