Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around, including the first Allegiant flight from Asheville to New York City, and much more:
–Asheville City Councilman Gordon Smith has announced that he will not seek appointment to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The seat that’s open
-The town of Mills River has landed yet another manufacturer. Norafin Industries, a German company that makes nonwoven materials, plans to build its first North American manufacturing facility on a 14-acre site on School House in Mills Road, adding to the community’s run of new plant openings over the past several years, the Hendersonville Lightning reports. The company will invest $18.1 million in the plant and begin hiring 46 employees late next year. (Check out the story I wrote for Capital At Play magazine for more details on the success Mills River has had over the past five years in landing big manufacturers.)
–The first flight on Allegiant airlines from Asheville to New York City is this Thursday, and airport officials will be celebrating with a ribbon-cutting and photo booth.
–Terry Roberts has been chosen as the Western North Carolina Historical Association’s recipient of the 61st Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for his novel, That Bright Land. Roberts wins a $1,500 prize. An award reception is set for Feb. 4 at the Renaissance Hotel.
–The WNC Young Farmers Coalition will meet local farmers over beer and farm fresh food from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 10 at New Belgium Brewing’s tasting room on Craven Street. The event is great for growers, local chefs, distributors, grocers and other regional buyers to get together and network. The event is free.
-Asheville Food Fan Stu Helm was spotted at Buxton Hall on Monday lunching with Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods.
–Asheville singer-songwriter Matt Townsend is asking the public to contribute $12,000 toward a fundraising campaign to help him cover the costs of a two-part EP called The Drifter and The Dream.
-The city of Asheville reports that demolition on a big Lyman Street warehouse that was painted earlier this year by a group of local mural artists should begin soon, and that efforts will be made to preserve the art.
-Finally, check out improv by The Deep End and The No-See-Ums at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the NYS3 studio on Riverside Drive. Here’s more:
Keep the Ashveille holiday parade celebration going this Saturday night as some of Asheville’s most talented improvisors come together for an fun-filled evening of improv. First up – The Deep End at 8:30 features Amelia Spencer-Kelly, Michael Thomas, Francine Cavanaugh, Kim Richardson and Sharon Feingold. Then, at 9:00, experience a completely new improv sensation (so-to-speak), with the No-See-Ums (Joe Carroll, Tom Chalmers, Clifton Hall, Allen Law, and Grayson Morris) performing improv in complete darkness. Tickets are a mere $5 at the door. Doors open at 8!
Sure wish AVL would replace Allegiant with a quality airlines.
Read this http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/investigations/allegiant-air/mechanical-breakdowns/