Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-There’s a new deli open in Montford. It’s called the Montford Pull Up, and it’s located at 231 Montford Ave. inside the longstanding Montford convenience store. The Montford Pull Up’s menu looks great, which salads and sandwiches made to go.
-There’s a new food cart in Asheville that specializes in Philly-style pretzels. It’s called Scott’s Knots, owned by Scott Schneider, and his pretzels are handmade, organic, vegan soft pretzels.
–Micah Pulleyn has taken a full-time job as organizer of the Asheville version of the national 5 Point Adventure Film Festival, held for the first time in Asheville last year. Pulleyn has left her former job as program director of the Asheville-Buncombe Sports Commission, which is now seeking applicants.
–Sow True Seeds has issued a call to artists as it expands its “packet art project.” The Asheville seed company is looking for artwork for six varieties of seeds. Here they are below; email [email protected] for more details.
1. Basil: Italian Large Leaf
2. Bush Bean: Provider
3. Cilantro
4. Kale: Portuguese
5. Pak Choy
6. Spinach: New Zealand
–Filmmakers on Friday will be at The WNC Nature Center to shoot a few scenes for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. The movie, which stars Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Peter Dinklage and others, has been shooting around Western North Carolina, including Sylva.
-Musician Jaye Bartell will be returning to Asheville on June 28 to play a show at The Mothlight, a show that will cap off a national tour with Kevin Morby. He’ll be playing that night with Nathanael Roney.
–GO Green Opportunities has been awarded a $70,000 “FreshLo” grant by The Kresge Foundation, according to a press release. More:
The “FreshLo” initiative is a new joint effort by Kresge’s Arts & Culture Program and Health Program. FreshLo stands for “Fresh, Local & Equitable: Food as Creative Platform for Neighborhood Revitalization”, and is aimed at strengthening low-income communities across the country.
The $70,000 planning grant will be used to strengthen GO’s mission-driven food programs, including the Southside Kitchen and Southside Community Garden, and contribute to the creative revitalization of Asheville’s Southside neighborhood.
–Buncombe County Special Olympics is unveiling a “Coffee for Champions” program, according to a press release. More:
The intent of the program is to partner with coffee shops throughout Asheville and Buncombe County to help communicate awareness of the program and to raise funds through a more crowd-sourced approach. Buncombe County Special Olympics has virtually no administrative cost burden, so money raised during this campaign will be directly to programming for athletes. Interested coffee shops and establishments are encouraged to contact the organizers.
Organizers are asking that each participating coffee shop donate one penny from each cup of coffee sold throughout the month of August to the program. Buncombe County Special Olympics is looking to recruit as many coffee shops and businesses that sell coffee as possible to participate in the month long campaign which will generate a new base of community support and highlight the power of small-scale collective support.
Participating businesses will be featured on the programs website (buncombecountyspecialolympics.org) along with a map that helps coffee connoisseurs locate those establishments. The program will also use its social media channels to help promote the participating business throughout the month.
Businesses interested in participating in the event can contact Buncombe County Special Olympics via e-mail [email protected], or call 828.250.4265.
Buncombe County Special Olympics is a year round athletics program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For information on the Spring Games or for general information on the program visit http://www.buncombecountyspecialolympics.org, e-mail [email protected], or call 828.250.4265. Information can also be found here on FB.
–Six Asheville bartenders will compete on Friday at Tiger Mountain in this Sailor Jerry cocktail contest:
The Sailor Jerry Beat It Rummy, presented by BlastBeat, will be held June 10th, where six of Asheville’s best rum libation concoctors will square off in a head to head competition to create modern riffs on classic rum cocktails. Competition will be fierce for the bartenders to best utilize the 92 proof spiced rum’s bold flavor in order to win three nights of complimentary accommodations at the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, the world’s premier cocktail festival highlighting what’s now, new and next in the spirits industry.
-Comedian, writer, director, and actor and Asheville native Jim David returns to Asheville for a one-night-only benefit performance Stand Up for Equality (And Show Tunes!) on Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Asheville Community Theatre, according to a press release. Here’s more:
All profits from Stand Up for Equality (And Show Tunes!) will go to Equality NC, the statewide civil rights nonprofit working for equality for the LGBT community, and Asheville Community Theatre. Tickets are $25.00 and are available online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, over the phone at 828-254-1320, or in person at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office. For more information about Equality NC, please visit www.equalitync.org. For more information about Jim David, please visit www.jimdavidofficial.com.
–The West Asheville Art Walk returns for a second year from noon until 5 p.m. on June 25. More:
The event is hosted by Provision Asheville,a non profit organization, seeking to build community through service. They partner with businesses and churches along Haywood Rd. who will be providing space for over 40 local artists to sell their work.
Guests are encouraged to visit all 7 locations that are in easy walking distance of one another. A variety of artwork will be available for purchase, including painting, photography, handmade jewelry, fiberwork, comics, and more.
Artists have donated items totalling over $150 for a raffle that will take place leading up to the event and the day of. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit future artists events and other initiatives of Provision Asheville. Details will be released on the facebook event page. For more information including an artist directory and map visit www.provisionasheville.com/artwalk.
-A community-wide potluck will be hosted this Father’s Day by Asheville author Ashley English to mark the paperback release of her book Handmade Gatherings: Recipes and Crafts for Seasonal Celebrations and Potluck Parties, published by Roost Books, according to a press release. More:
DATE: June 19, 2016
TIME: 12:30p – 3:30p
LOCATION: Picnic Pavilion, Carrier Park, Asheville, NC 28806
Free and open to the public
Historically, the word potluck (meaning, quite literally, luck of the pot) referred to dishes prepared from ingredients readily available and served to guests who turned up unexpectedly for dinner. Today, the word brings to mind simple gatherings stocked with a disparate assortment of dishes, many purchased pre-made from local grocers. While there is good spirit to be found in this sort of celebration, Ashley English takes the potluck back to its roots. Nourishing, homemade food is the star of her potluck parties, and everything from the crafts, activities, and recommended party attire serve as a perfect complement to the foods available seasonally, that is, by luck of the pot.
With recipes, crafts, and party planning advice for every season—plus a beautiful new cover featuring photography by Asheville-based photographer Johnny Autry—Handmade Gatherings is the perfect book for anyone who wants to wow their friends and family with thoughtful, festive gatherings. Join Ashley and the Asheville community as they celebrate the art of the potluck at Carrier Park’s Picnic Pavilion.
