Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Rain in Asheville, raining fire in Gatlinburg, more

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Jason Sandford

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

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More of what’s going around, including rain in Asheville, wildfires in Gatlinburg and much more:

-It rained Monday night and Tuesday morning in Asheville. Rain in Asheville is news, considering the drought and wildfires we’ve experienced this year.

-Meanwhile, it rained fire in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday night as extreme, unpredicted weather conditions spread a wildfire that was burning in the area. Winds gusted to more than 80 mph and rapidly spread the fire, according to officials who are still assessing damage. Some 150 structures – cabins, houses, a lodge – were burned, the officials say. Downtown Gatlinburg and the popular Dollywood theme park remain untouched. About 15,000 people were evacuated over night, and at least three people suffered severe burns, according to reports. The national park remains closed today.

-Here’s an Ashvegas milestone that I thought I’d pass along: over the Thanksgiving weekend, I posted my 18,000th post. The site has more than 48,000 comments. Earlier this year, readers of the Mountain Xpress voted AshvegasDotCom the Best Local Website in town again, making it five years running for that nod. I just wanted to say thank you again to all the folks who read, follow, chime in, tip off, go off, etc. I can’t do it without y’all.

-The Burger Bar is leaving open Saturday afternoons at the bar to hold classes, workshops, presentations, group discussions, etc., says loyal reader Celeste. The bar is looking for people who want to use their space to hold such workshops and meet-ups. If you would, contact them at [email protected]

-Remember the Faces of Asheville, a two-year photo documentary project led by photographer and artist Jen Bowen? Well, next year marks the 10th anniversary of the project, an anniversary that Bowen has said will be celebrated with a “reboot,” though details haven’t been released yet. Bowen’s aim was to “capture the spirit and diversity of the rapidly evolving region,” and she photographed people with an item that they felt represented their lives. She also asked people to talk about their connection to Asheville. When it was done, Bowen photographed more than 340 men, women and children. With the changes that Asheville has undergone in just the past few years, let alone 10, revisiting this work should make for some

-The Asheville/WNC chapter of Pantsuit Nation, the not so secret Facebook group of Hillary Clinton supporters, is hosting an advocacy fair at the North Asheville Library on Saturday to assist progressively minded folks inspired by the recent election to join existing groups, according to a press release. The event goes from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. More:

Currently the following groups will be in attendance to meet with people: Buncombe County Democratic Party, NOW (National Organization of Women), Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, Helpmate, COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere), Transmission, SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). There will also be a voter registration opportunity.

For the kids, we’ll be reading a few books (e.g., White Flour by David LaMotte and Jenn Hales, Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio and LeUyen Pham) and have supplies for making cards/art to send to Hillary Clinton and other politicians we appreciate.

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Jason Sandford

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

  • 1

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2 Comments

  1. Darlene Dietz November 30, 2016

    Please let me know the time of the meeting g of the WNC pantsuit group. I enjoyed it and since the election have floodplain at much social a l media

    Reply
    1. Jason Sandford November 30, 2016

      The event goes from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.

      Reply

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