Monthly Archives: May 2002

A pdf of the May 2002 Newsletter may be downloaded here.

President’s Message

April showered media coverage on West Asheville. I hope each of you saw the WLOS news coverage on April 16, followed by the Mountain Xpress article the week of April 24-30. These stories concentrated on the Haywood Road area near the West End Bakery and the Bledsoe building, but brought attention to West Asheville as a great place to live and do business.

The WABA Board is working on some proposals to continue promot- ing West Asheville in the media. One suggestion that has been brought forward is reviving West Fest. Our April guest speaker, David Mitchell, Superintendent of Cultural Arts for Parks & Rec- reation, was a great tie in with this idea. Mr. Mitchell gave us an overview of all that Parks & Recreation has to offer and Wanda Hawthorne, also with Parks & Recreation, filled in details of programs at individual centers around the city. A good discussion followed about festivals and what we could do here in West Ashe- ville. Parks & Recreation has a wide variety of programs for all ages. If you would like more information on their programs please visit: www.ashevilleparks.org

This month our guests will be discussing the I-26 Connector plans and how they will affect West Asheville. Many plans have been proposed, here is your chance to find out what the status is of this project and what plans are still being considered.

Hope to see you at the next meeting. Alice io Oglesby io design & illustration On Site Streets, LLC (OnHaywood.com) 251-9051 alice@iodesignandillustration.com alice@onhaywood.com

And for those of you who have missed recent meetings, you may be won- dering about the Featured box below. Each meeting we draw a member card and give that member some free publicity, so remember to put your card in the fishbowl at the next meeting.

May 2002 Calendar

Board Meeting Thursday May 9 7:30am West End Bakery 757 Haywood Road

General Meeting Tuesday May 21 6:30pm Ryan’s Steak House 1053 Patton Ave.

May Program: I-26 Connector and West Asheville

The I-26 Connector is in the planning stages, but finalization of plans will be happening soon.

Join us for a panel discussion on the I-26 Connector and how it will affect West Asheville. Our guests represent the I-26 Connector Awareness Group, City of Asheville Engineering Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

General meetings are open to the public and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

Featured WABA Member – Chris Roupp

Chris Roupp is an Account Executive for Quality Business Systems, a Toshiba Company. He can be reached at 828-670-1070 Ext. 104 for your copy, fax and print needs.

Follow Up

Each month the WABA Newsletter will give you follow up information on past programs or community actions and events that pertain to West Asheville.

Community Action: Strive Not to Drive Week, May 12-18

Are you concerned the quality of air you breathe? Bothered by increasing traffic and congestion? Are you worried that our children (or even yourself) don’t get enough exercise? Now is your chance to help make a difference. The annual Strive Not To Drive event takes place during the week of May 12-18. The goal is to increase awareness about air quality and transportation issues in our region. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to use buses, bikes and walking instead of cars during this week. Happenings from Guided Ur- ban Trail Walks and a Bicycle Film Festival to Spring Fling at the Arboretum will make this a week of celebra- tion. For more information call: Linda Giltz, Land-of-Sky Regional Council, 251-6622.

Community Event: Market Madness, June 8, 7am-1pm

What do you get when you mix a 5K fun run, giant yard sale, dog wash and plant sale? Market Madness! This one day event is a fun fund-raiser for the Haywood Road Market. Donations of yard sale items are being accepted Saturdays and Sundays, 10-12 at West End Bakery, 757 Haywood Road. Want to get involved? Get your running shoes on and form a business team, donate race prizes, volunteer some time or ask about sponsorship opportunities. For more information: hrmmadness@hotmail.com

Save the Date: WABA Summer Picnic and Scholarship Awards, July 16

Mark your calendar. We have reserved space at the French Broad River Park for this annual event. Bring your entire family to enjoy BBQ, music and outdoor fun. This is also the evening that we award our scholarships. This year we are able to give two $750 scholarships. Thank you all!