Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-The Rankin Vault is closed until Thursday for renovations, which include refinishing its bar and tables.
-The Native Kitchen in Swannanoa on Wednesday will donate proceeds to ArtSpace charter school, which suffered extensive damage following a flood about two weeks ago.
-Asheville City Council is preparing to consider a resolution/new ordinance to “ban the box” on job applications, a move that supporters say will help give people with criminal records a better shot at employment. City government is one of the biggest employers in town, and by doing away with the question about criminal convictions on job applications, the hope is to reduce unemployment for those trying to get back on their feet after jail/prison time. (There will still be background checks.) Newly elected Councilman Keith Young is a proponent, although city staff has been working on the issue for months. Dee Williams, who ran unsuccessfully for council last year, has also been working on the issue.
-The Asheville Art Museum plans to unveil more details about long-awaited construction to expand. From the press release:
We are thrilled to invite you to an important celebration happening at the Asheville Art Museum on January 25, 2016, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Museum is undergoing major construction in 2016 and we want to kick it off in sparkling style. We’d love for you to be there to celebrate with us!
-The journalism nonprofit Carolina Public Press has hired a new managing editor, Frank Taylor. “He was as an editorial writer and columnist for The Fayetteville Observer from 2013 to 2015 and managing editor of The Lincoln Times-News of Lincolnton, N.C., from 2008 to 2013,” according to a press release.
–Valet Gourmet, a restaurant marketing and delivery company in Asheville, has merged with Chapel Hill-based Takeout Central. More from a press release:
When fully integrated, Valet Gourmet and Takeout Central will operate in seven major markets across North Carolina and Tennessee. The company will serve over 325 strategic restaurant partners by incorporating advanced technologies and a network of 220 independent delivery professionals to extend the restaurant partners’ marketing efforts and facilitate over 225,000 annual deliveries of their cuisine to both residential and corporate customers.
Parker Spears remains in Asheville as Partner and Company Manager; he previously served as Valet Gourmet’s Director of Operations. Kenan Hopkins, Valet Gourmet’s founder and past President, will continue as a key advisor to the organization. All Asheville employees will remain employed by the combined company.
Valet Gourmet was founded by Mr. Hopkins in 2003 and has earlier expanded its operations into the Knoxville, TN market area. Takeout Central, also with 10+ years of industry experience, has successfully incorporated technology to expand the traditional model of the restaurant marketing and delivery service provider.
-Franklin Graham is kicking off a 50-state tour to reach out to Christian conservatives. The Charlotte Observer says Graham’s tour could impact the GOP presidential primary race even though Graham announced he was leaving the Republican Party.
-There’s a petition going around asking that Asheville City Council delay its approval of a plan to demolish the Lee Walker Heights public housing complex.