Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
–Stone Road, a new restaurant at 328 New Leicester Highway, is holding a job fair today and tomorrow. They’re looking to fill positions in the kitchen, bar and dining room.
–The Native Kitchen & Social Pub will host a Pig Roast & Picnic from 3 p.m. until dark on June 5, with all the proceeds benefitting Our Voice, the Asheville nonprofit that battles sexual violence. The picnic is family friendly, there will be games, music, and delicious food ($15 per plate, $6 for kids under 12), all provided by Native Kitchen & Social Pub.
-Speaking of June events, here’s one to put on your calendar, from a press release from The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County:
On June 4 of this year, The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a traveling gala “Look Homeward, Asheville.” Patrons of the fundraiser will be swept away on Historic Trolley buses to themed parties at four different historic locations in Asheville. One of the largest fundraisers of its kind, funds raised will be used to increase the continued impact of PSABC within our community, and help fund a special restoration project that is significant to Asheville’s history. Details of this secret but endearing project will be announced to the public during the gala!
The impact of the Preservation Society’s efforts can be seen in the architectural details that make Asheville one of the most unique tourist destinations of the South East. Founded in 1976, PSABC’s determined volunteers helped prevent Montford Avenue from being turned into a through street connecting to U.S. 19-23. It is also through those original efforts that PSABC created an environment for the redevelopment of important landmarks like the Grove Arcade, the Thomas Wolfe House and Biltmore Village.
Visit psabc.org/look-homeward to purchase tickets to the event and learn more about how to get involved.
–Dog Tag Art, the cool Asheville company that makes amazing dog tags, visited UNC Asheville during finals week to see how therapy dogs helped calm students. Cool.
–Helmet Halo, the invention of an Asheville man, is billed as the world’s first portable motorcycle helmet stand. There’s a crowdfunding campaign for Helmet Halo here.
-The Asheville band Devils in Dust is seeking crowdfunding for a new album. They’re an awesome band.
–The Moog Foundation in Asheville is seeking crowdfunding to produce a new feature-length documentary about Bob Moog, the electronic music poineer.
–Josephine’s hot dog stand plans to return to Pack Square at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13, according to a press release. Keep your eyes peeled Fridays at Pack Square from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Flat Iron.
–The Center for Craft Creativity and Design in downtown Asheville has issued a call to artists. Here’s the press release:
In 2015, CCCD launched a new program series titled Back to the Drawing Board, that invited six artists take over Benchspace Gallery & Workshop to create interactive installations, performances, and other experimental activities.
This year, CCCD is pleased to continue Back to the Drawing Board as a feature program of it’s 20th Anniversary celebration to be held on August 11, 2016. Three selected projects will be staged throughout CCCD’s three-story building at 67 Broadway in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
Artists, makers, designers and performers of all disciplines are welcome to propose a project plan. Preference will be given to new projects not yet presented in public, with an emphasis on process and audience collaboration. Works in progress are welcome, with the intention of exposing the public to the, often unseen, creative process. Ideas that will engage the public in a critical dialogue are encouraged.
Each takeover will occur from 7-10 pm, Thursday August 11, 2016. Accepted applicants will receive a $1,000 stipend for materials and travel expenses. Learn more and apply here.
–The Farm Pathways collaboration – consisting of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Organic Growers School (OGS), and WNC Farmlink (WNCFL) – reports success as they near the end of a year-long project to develop capacity for farm production, business, and land access curriculum and resources, according to a press release. More:
Over the past year, the three partners used grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program to grow programs that help beginning farmers in the Western North Carolina region start successful farm enterprises.
“We are thrilled with the results of this development year for Farm Pathways,” says Cameron Farlow, OGS’s Farmer Programs Director. “We are grateful for the opportunity the Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program gave us to really dig into growing our capacity and partnership, and to establish cohesiveness between our programs.”
-A new Asheville cookbook by the editors of Asheville Dining Guide highlights some of the city’s most beloved chefs and restaurateurs, according to a press release. A special launch party and book signing for Cooking with Asheville will be held March 28 at The Venue in Downtown Asheville. More:
“It is a great snapshot of the culinary culture right here in Asheville,” said Rick Bradham, president of Edgewater Media Group. “This has been such an exciting project to be a part of and we can’t wait to share it with the whole community.”
Cooking with Asheville will capture the culinary essence of Asheville with stories about your favorite chefs and restaurateurs, recipes, and stunning photography by award-winning Asheville food photographer Lynne Harty.
-RiverLink, The Wilma Dykeman Legacy and the City of Asheville will celebrate Wilma Dykeman’s birthday on Friday, May 20, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Jean Webb Park in the River Arts District, according to a press release. More:
There will be performances and speeches by DeWayne Barton, Lauren Fortuna, and The Faerie Kin. See the official party invitation here.
Wilma Dykeman warned us all of pollution in the French Broad River in her 1955 book “The French Broad.” It was a clarion call to respect our natural world, and the first case ever made that clean water is good for the economy. Dykeman also pioneered in the areas of civil rights, women’s rights (including birth control), Appalachian Studies, and GMO’s.
She was born on May 20, 1920 just north of Asheville at the head of Beaverdam valley. She died in 2006 at the Keever Solace Center off Sweeten Creek Road. Between these Buncombe County bookends, she lived an extraordinary life filled with books and writing, learning and laughter, social debate and family nurture.
