Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around:
-Tonight at O. Henry’s, Asheville’s oldest gay bar, a candlelight vigil service will honor the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando. The event begins at 8 p.m. Local groups including Transmission, Equality NC and the Campaign for Southern Equality will take part in the event.
-The South Slope Neighborhood Association has invited people who live and work on the South Slope to attend a 5:30 p.m. meeting tonight to brainstorm ideas about how to guide the future of the neighborhood. The meeting will be held at The Refinery on Coxe Avenue.
–Rebel Strength and Row House is holding its grand opening today. The new business at 480 Depot Street is offering a special of 5 rows for $50. Founder Adam Smith is a personal trainer/former college athlete and rower who is into creating a kick-ass 45-minute workout.
–Sanctuary Brewing in Hendersonville will host a screening of a documentary called Food Choices on June 15. The event will start with a 6:30 p.m. meet-and-greet, with the film screening at 7:45 p.m. and a panel discussion at 9:15 p.m.
–Malaprop’s celebrated the release Saturday night of a new tome in the insanely popular Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play, is being released in book format and the play is being staged in London.
-There’s a Champion Credit Union banner up at the former Wendy’s restaurant location on Patton Avenue, says loyal reader Russ.
–The Hollywood movie Genius, which stars Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and several other stars, opened to limited release in theaters on Friday. The movie tells the story of editor Max Perkins (played by Firth) and his relationship with big-name writers of his day, including Thomas Wolfe (Law).
-The popular 5 Walnut bar is planning to remake its small, adjacent art gallery space into a room featuring specialty cheeses. Look for the change in a month or two.
–The Blackbird restaurant on the ground floor of the Aloft Hotel in downtown Asheville is under new ownership. Jesson Gil and his wife Cristina purchased The Blackbird in May with the announcement of former owner, Roz Taubman’s, retirement after 40 years in the industry, according to the Asheville Independent Restaurants newsletter. The Gils bring over 26 years of restaurant experience, most recently owned two very successful restaurants in The Woodlands, Texas area, according to the newsletter.
-The Asheville Section of the American Institute of Architects is hosting a July 21 screening of a movie that details how the High Line, a New York City park, was created. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Fine Arts Theatre Box Office, 36 Biltmore Ave or online.Proceeds from the screening will benefit Asheville Parks and Greenways Foundation to help fund projects in the Asheville community.
–Danceclub Asheville is hosting a grand opening party on June 23. Owner Kathleen Hahn’s studio, where she teaches a variety of dance classes, has been open in Asheville for one month in Woodfin. There will be a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting and a 5:30 p.m. dance party. Also, starting today through June 18, all classes are free, but you have to sign up ahead of time at danceclubasheville.com.
Peckerwood asks “What does voting have to do with Muslim homophobic mass murder?”
It has to do with removing the NRA shills from office, the NRAblers of mass murder, the terrorists’ best friends, the craven scum who put political contributions above human life. You know, Republicans.
I was unable to attend the vigil but saw a report from local reporter Casey Blake saying:
“Recurring message tonight from #Asheville to Orlando: “Love your neighbor and vote like crazy.” #Orlando #avlnews”
twitter.com/CaseyBlakeACT/status/742514670968262657
What does voting have to do with Muslim homophobic mass murder?
“Muslim homophobic mass murder.” At least he’s not calling it Radical Islamic Terrorism. Especially now that it seems to be all about a self-loathing closeted gay man with easy access to assault rifles than about _anything_ Muslim.
Voting has more to do with what happened in Orlando than you have to do with NC, Tex.
But please, continue to show up here in our forums from your cozy desk in Texas and shill for whatever entity is currently paying your bills, you pathetic turd.
So, what does voting have to do with it? Voting has everything to do with kicking out the gay-bashers in our governments who tacitly condone violence against the LGBT community by implementing laws that treat them as lesser people unworthy of even the most basic accommodation, as perverts and worse. Voting has everything to do with getting assault rifles banned again in this country. Voting has everything to do with standing up against the hate-mongering dipsh*t running for President who is currently doing his best to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment in this country.
But to you it’s all about ginning up that anti-Muslim sentiment, isn’t it, you f’in’ sh*tpile? Perhaps you should go work for the Trump campaign; I heard he’s woefully understaffed. It’s your time to shine, Tim!
Wait, I heard his campaign is woefully underfunded, too. That just won’t do now, will it?
Please take a bath with a toaster you f’king hack.
Just a quick correction ** Rebel is located at 408 Depot Street, Suite 130. Thank you!!