Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-The Asheville Citizen-Times on Wednesday published a story headlined “Mayor Calls for Vance Monument Removal amid Confederate statue debate” and followed that with a correction, noting that Mayor Esther Manheimer was not, in fact, calling for the monument’s removal. Reporter John Boyle reported that Manheimer said she agreed with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s call to consider removing the monument, but Manheimer continued: “The community has a variety of opinions about the Vance Monument and council is eager to hear the community’s ideas about how to contextualize the memorial,” she said. On Monday, Manheimer issued a statement condemning hate speech following the violence in Charlottesville, Va. “In the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville, Va., the Asheville community condemns the actions of people who espouse hate speak against any race or ethnicity, and especially those who promote white supremacy,” read Manheimer’s statement.
-The Asheville Police Department has charged 38-year-old Michael Patrick Faulkner with simple assault for an incident that took place during Sunday’s rally in Pack Square Park. People had gathered at the base of the Vance Monument to show solidarity with Charlottesville. WLOS reporter Darren Botelho was using a cellphone to broadcast Facebook Live video of the event when he was allegedly assaulted.
-The Asheville weather forecast for Monday’s solar eclipse got a little better, with a forecast calling for fewer clouds than anticipated a few days ago.
-Rumor control: Word on the street is that the former Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park property has been sold and will be developed into an eco-friendly adventure park with hiking and biking trails, restaurants and an “arctic slide.”
-An Electric Car Show will be held Sept. 10 at Asheville Outlets on Brevard Road. The show is part of the national Drive Electric Week, Sept. 9-17.
-The JB Media Institute, a digital marketing training program offering online and in-person classes, is giving away a lifetime of digital marketing training (valued at over $10,000) to the winner of its Summer Sweepstakes, according to a press release. More:
From Aug. 1 through Sept. 7, anyone 18 years of age and older (from anywhere in the world) can enter for their chance to win at jbmediagroupllc.com/sweepstakes/. A winner will be drawn at random and announced mid-September. The total prize package includes: ● One free seat in the JB Media Institute in-person or online training program – $957–$2,500 value ● One lifetime membership in the online learning community – $4,500 value over the first 5 years ● One 90-minute private coaching sessions 4 times per year for 2 years – $2,400 total value ● Bonus for Asheville locals – Access to all of our local Bootcamps and Workshops for 2 years – $600 estimated value Total value – $10,000 over the first 5 years
-Asheville Outlets will team up with CarePartners Foundation to host a Health Fair from 1-3 p.m. on Sept. 17. The event will feature service providers, healthcare agencies, community organizations and other vendors who will provide everything from health-related demonstrations to educational materials on health, fitness and wellness issues. The event is free to the public.
-The U.S. Cellular Center is currently accepting applications from qualified volunteer groups to assist in the concessions operations when needed at the U.S. Cellular Center. Applications must be submitted via email to Brian Candler, Food & Beverage Manager at [email protected] or dropped off at the U.S. Cellular Center box office between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday by 5 p.m. Sept. 1. Questions must be submitted to Brian Candler via email by 3 p.m. August 23. Answers to all questions will be compiled and sent to all interested groups by 5 p.m. August 25.Applications can be found here.
-Riverbend Malt House has announced the availability of its new “Southern Select” malt product, using locally sourced 2-row barley. “There has been a persistent myth that 2-row barley couldn’t be viably grown in the South,” stated Brent Manning, Riverbend Founder/Head Maltster. “Working closely with our farming partners, we are now able to source locally grown, high quality 2-row barley from which we are able to make spectacular malt.”
