Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-Jeff Miller on the question of whether he will run for N.C. Sen. Tom Apodoca’s seat next year in the wake of news that Apodoca won’t seek re-election: “Hell no,” reports the Hendersonville Lightning.
-The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild toasted N.C. Rep. Chuck McGrady for his work to boost the craft beer industry in North Carolina, the Lightning reports.
–The Bywater has a new website in the works.
–The Cascade Lounge on Amboy Road is awesome.
–The Spot AVL on Biltmore Avenue is a “synchronistic portal of transformation.”
-Save the date: Asheville Mardi Gras dates: Cajun Cookoff is Jan. 24 and Twelfth Night is Jan. 6.
-Moogfest 2016 invited folks in Durham to “build a synth” the other night. About 20 people showed up, reports IndyWeek.
This event was the first of several international Dial-Tones workshops Moogfest is presenting in Portland, Los Angeles, New York, London and, well, Durham. They scan as a calculated effort on the festival’s part to build buzz for their upcoming 2016 festival and, locally, to insert themselves in the Triangle’s scene before taking over a big part of it for one long weekend in May.
-Loyal reader Tiger, ever on the grocery beat, tells me the Hendersonville Planning Board will hear plans for the proposed 49,098 square feet Publix with pharmacy drive-thru for the planned South Market Village retail center at its meeting on Monday, 14 December at 1600 hours.
-The French Broad Food Co-op’s expansion planning is underway and it has issued a Request For Proposals & Qualifications that seeks a master developer, according to a press release. Here’s more:
The planning includes the Co-op’s new, larger store as anchor tenant and surrounds it with mixed use, including housing, parking, and other commercial space. One scenario posed by the Co-op includes additional Biltmore frontage retail spaces and commercial space above.
Sage Turner, Project Manager for the redevelopment invites, “We are ready to talk with area businesses interested in becoming a tenant or potential owner occupant. We’d like to hear from organizations now and incorporate them into the planning process. At this time both small and large bays are being considered. This could include retail, restaurant, office, and other commercial uses. We want to create a hub of local and impactful organizations. Please get in touch at [email protected] and share your vision with me.”
–Earthfare is expanding its Atlanta footprint.
-Mora jewelry store in downtown Asheville invites folks out to shop:
Customer Appreciation Celebration at Mora
Saturday, December 12 and Saturday, December 19 5:00-8:00pm
To say “thank you” for an amazing year and to celebrate the holiday season, Mora is throwing a party, and you are the guest of honor!
From 5:00-8:00pm each Saturday until Christmas, join us for some special holiday cheer! There will be festive food and drink, secret discounts, exclusive offers, and fun giveaways you won’t want to miss! We look forward to honoring you at these events and sharing the love of wonderful, one-of-a-kind jewelry!
-Western North Carolina Toys for Tots will be conducting its annual toy drive with iHeart Media and 99.9 Kiss Country at the new Asheville Outlets this Friday and Saturday December 11th and 12th from 6 am until 10pm both days, according to a press release. More:
This is the longest running toy drive in Western NC. They will be collecting toys and monetary donations to assist needy families in our community. The U.S. Marines and Kiss Country’s Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green will be on hand during the marathon broadcast to collect donations and meet fans. Please come support the Marines and our neighbors in need and help provide the joy of Christmas to a needy child.
About WNC Toys for Tots: The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program has been in existence since 1947. Western North Carolina Toys for Tots, the locally operated campaign, has been conducted since 1994 and has provided Christmas to over 150,000 children in Western North Carolina during that time. All donations collected by WNC Toys for Tots stay in the local communities and do not go to the national foundation. For more information please visit www.toysfortots.org or www.asheville-nc.toysfortots.org
Déjà vu: The last time Asheville appealed an adverse ruling on the water system to the Supreme Court, it took about four months for the court to clear its inbox and dismiss the case. bit.ly/1SQfMap