Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Has Asheville lost its weird, and more

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Some of what’s going around:

-Bold Rock Hard Cider looks to Buncombe: Gary Glancy of the Hendersonville Times-News reports that Bold Rock Hard Cider, which earlier this year bought land in Mills River to open a new manufacturing facility and tasting room, is looking at several locations to open a temporary production facility. From the story:

Bold Rock co-owner John Washburn said that of the roughly 20 buildings he and partner Brian Shanks have looked at in Buncombe and Henderson counties, the search has been narrowed to three finalists.

“Buncombe has come into consideration, let’s put it that way,” Washburn said. “It’s either going to be Buncombe or Henderson, and I would say right now that Henderson has the upper hand, both sentimentally, passion-wise and, probably, business-wise.”

Bold Rock, one of the fastest growing cider companies on the East Coast, is looking to retrofit an existing building with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a major production facility.

Glancy goes on to note that Bold Rock recently launched two new products, “Carolina Apple and Carolina Draft, that feature Henderson County apples. The company recently entered into a partnership with Apple Wedge Packers & Cider in Edneyville, utilizing the local fruit for Bold Rock’s new flavors.”

-Lunch at Nine Mile West:  Starting Jan. 5, Nine Mile West on Haywood Road will be open for lunch.

-Lunch at Pour: Pour Taproom on Haywood Road is now serving lunch.

-Old map of Asheville: An 1891 map of Asheville, zoomable.

-New incentive structure for filmmakers in N.C.: Charlotte Business Journal reports that new incentives for filmmakers in North Carolina takes effect Jan. 1:

The Film and Entertainment Grant Fund within the N.C. Department of Commerce can provide grants for video productions in North Carolina, but funds can’t be used unless the production meets minimum qualifying expenses of $5 million for films, $250,000 per episode if it’s a television show and $250,000 for commercials. Grants under the provision can’t exceed 25 percent of those expenses and are capped at those qualifying expense amounts. About $10 million is appropriated to the fund for those grants, to expire July 1, 2020. Compare that with the $61 million in tax credits received by production companies in the state in 2013.

-CTS investigation: Mitch Weiss and Michael Biesecker, reporters for the Raleigh News & Observer, investigate how developers built new housing next to contaminated property formerly home to CTS Corp.

-Malaprop’s sale: Don’t forget that Malaprop’s has a big New Year’s Day sale – 25 percent off. Stock up on your winter books.

-Has Asheville lost its cool? That’s the premise behind this essay at Grist.org. A sample:

Across the river from downtown, West Asheville has become a new home to many locals, and long-empty storefronts are now bakeries and bars and record shops. The woman who used to cut my hair in her kitchen for a six-pack of cheap beer now owns a salon that gives away PBR with haircuts on Haywood Road. But if the trend continues, all the people making it a good place to live will get priced out by lofts and hotels, and the refrain will become, “West Asheville? I never go to West Asheville.”

-Motsinger on the move: Asheville Citizen-Times reporter Carol Motsinger announced via Twitter that she’s leaving the newspaper after seven years to join the Cincinnati Enquirer as their arts reporter. Both newspapers are owned by Gannett. All the best to Carol!

-Shipping container home finished: Photographer Keli Keach reports that the first Asheville home built from recycled shipping containers is now complete. You can follow the homeowners at 40×28.com.

-Asheville, off the beaten path: This ramblist.com list offers six ways to “experience Asheville off the beaten path.” None of suggestions are really “off the beaten path,” but what the hell.

-Goodwill taking donations: Goodwill locations in Western North Carolina are taking donations. From the press release:

“Donating unwanted items to Goodwill is an easy, affordable and effective way to help people in our community,” said Jaymie Eichorn, Vice President of Marketing & Communications. “Not only does donating locally help put our friends and neighbors back to work, it can also benefit those who make donations, so it’s a win-win for everyone”.

Goodwill will have additional staff at its donation locations beginning Saturday December 28 through December 31, to handle increased traffic and ensure a quick and convenient experience for donors.

There are more than 100 Goodwill donation centers and drop off locations in northwest North Carolina, and 27 in Buncombe County alone; most are open 7 days a week. To locate a drop-off site or retail store, visit goodwillnwnc.org.