Category Archives: West Asheville News

West Asheville City Council Community Meeting May 31, 6:30pm

Asheville City Council will hold a Community Meeting in West Asheville on Tuesday May 31, 2011, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. The meeting will feature presentations on city initiatives in West Asheville by city staff and area residents. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Mayor Bellamy, Council Members and the presenters will be available to answer questions and take comments.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Marsha Stickford, City of Asheville Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator, at mstickford@ashevillenc.gov or 259-5506.

Graffiti Presentation June 28, 6 pm

Officer Chad McCall, a West Asheville Community Resource Officer and Rebecca Bym, the City of Asheville Weed and Seed Coordinator will be making a presentation about graffiti in West Asheville at the West Asheville Library meeting room on Tuesday, June 28 at 6 pm. Topics to be discusses will include; education on graffiti, how the city responds to calls about graffiti and resources available to help property and business owners remove it.

Stream Restoration projects review in West Asheville May 26

RiverLink invites the West Asheville Community to West Asheville Park, for a Walk in the Park. We will be reviewing RiverLink’s stream restoration and water quality project along Rhododendron Creek through the park. We will meet with Nancy Hodges, RiverLink’s Watershed Resource Manager, Jake McLean, from Baker Engineering and Doug Barlow aka. Brotherhug at 5pm on Thursday May 26th in the West Asheville Park parking lot for an informative meeting.
In 2008, RiverLink was granted funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to improve the water quality and restore over a combined 1600 linear feet of Rhododendron and Buttermilk Creeks, tributaries of Hominy Creek. Rhododendron Creek runs through West Asheville Park and Buttermilk Creek through Malvern Hills Park, both heavily used neighborhood parks. RiverLink hired Baker Engineering and along with many neighborhood residents to design and implement the stream restoration and water quality measures in the parks.
Last fall we officially completed the construction of the project. This would not have been possible without the continual assistance and support of the neighborhood. Many residents came out to help plant the riparian zone of the stream bank and/or remove exotic species.
Currently, there is ongoing utility work along Morris and in the lower section of the Park. Over the next few months residents might see occasional maintenance work being conducted to help maintain the water quality features and stabilize the stream. RiverLink would like to invite citizens down to the park to learn in-depth about the restoration project, water quality features, and the newest RiverLink endeavor in West Asheville, the Hominy Creek Greenway Extension.

RiverLink is also looking for some volunteers on Tuesday, May 24 or Wednesday, May 25 – time variable to assist in flyer distribution around West Asheville Park. Flyers about this meeting and area stream restoration work need to be put in neighborhood mailboxes. For more information call Nancy Hodges at 252-8474, ext. 14.

Mountain Sports Festival May 27, 28 and 29

The Mountain Sports Festival will be held at Carrier Park in West Asheville and other locations around Asheville from Friday May 27th through Sunday May 29th. This weekend music and sports festival celebrates community, athletics and local business. The festival showcases the terrain, environment and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to the presenting of a well balanced series of events that encourages participation on all levels.

For more information go to mountainsportsfestival.com.

Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan talk May 28

RiverLink Executive Director Karen Cragnolin will lead a greenway walk and talk to discuss the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay as a model of sustainable development on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. The tour leaves from the Rotary Pavilion at Carrier Park Wetlands.
The Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan is RiverLink’s brainchild to create a sustainable model for the watershed that promotes and balances transportation, health and housing, education, economic development, environmental protection, and recreation to revitalize the French Broad and Swannanoa riverfront corridors through Asheville. A total of 4.5 miles of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay are in place now with other properties being held in conservation easements to be added in the future as the project grows.
Cragnolin suggests wearing good walking shoes for the walk on Saturday. “We may do the entire 4.5 miles of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay as we talk about the Dykeman Plan’s three-prong approach for economic development along the river, which include includes arts and crafts, recreation, rejuvenation and wellness — all of which are authentic to our region and based on our traditions and history as a community.”
The tour is free to the public and lasts about two hours.

For more information or to make your reservation, call RiverLink at 252-8474, ext 10.

Block Party at Burton Street Center May 28

Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will host a Community Day & Block Party on Saturday, May 28, from 12 – 5 p.m. at the Burton Street Center, located at 134 Burton St. This day of family fun includes inflatables, face painting, crafts, balloon art, an All American cookout, and much more. Admission to the event is free.

For more information about the event, contact the center at 828-254-1942, or burtonstreetrec.center@ashevillenc.gov.

West Asheville City Council Community Meeting Tuesday May 31, 2011

Asheville City Council will hold a Community Meeting in West Asheville on Tuesday May 31, 2011, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. The meeting will feature presentations on city initiatives in West Asheville by city staff and area residents. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Mayor Bellamy, Council Members and the presenters will be available to answer questions and take comments.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Marsha Stickford, City of Asheville Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator, at mstickford@ashevillenc.gov or 259-5506.

Be a local Leader

The City of Asheville has various openings on various committees. Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body that is responsible for making decisions regarding policy, service and education? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees we have to offer. The deadline for receiving applications for these openings is Wednesday, June 8 at 5 p.m. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 259-5601 or by e-mail at mburleson@ashevillenc.gov for an application form. Committees that have openings include;
CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The responsibilities of the Committee include serving as liaison between the police and community over concern; to mediate problems or conflicts; to serve as an advocate for programs, ideas, and methods to improve the relationship between the police and the community; and to disseminate information to the community and to the government officials in Asheville.
CIVIC CENTER COMMISSION – Some duties of the Commission include (1) reviewing and making recommendations on programming goals and objectives for each venue in the Civic Center; (2) establishing a method for handling of customer service complaints; (3) developing and making recommendations regarding long range plans for the Civic Center; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on proposals for changes in the fees and charges for use of Civic Center facilities; (5) encouraging promotion of sports, recreation, entertainment and cultural events and activities, and to facilitate the use of the services and facilities of the Civic Center; and (6) performing other such tasks and functions as the City Council may direct.
CRIMESTOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE – The responsibilities of this committee is to review crimes and set awards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of felony crime offenders and to capture fugitives. The committee offers anonymity to persons who furnish information.
PUBLIC ART BOARD – The Board is responsible for promoting and maintaining art displays in public buildings and public spaces in the City of Asheville. In addition the Board (1) facilitates public art in public buildings and public spaces; (2) informs the residents of and visitors to Asheville about public art; (3) advances the City of Asheville as an “arts destination” and engages public art as a major attraction for artists, cultural tourism, and economic development; (4) is responsible for approving the site and content of public art; (5) is responsible for developing a procedure for the selection of art and/or artists, which will include public input as well as appropriate staff review. The Public Art Board shall follow its Public Art Policy and Implementation Guidelines as modified and/or amended every five years; and (6) recommends to City Council the acceptance of works of art.
RECREATION BOARD – The Board advises City Council on various matters pertaining to the operation of park facilities and recreation programs within the City of Asheville, to make policy recommendations to City Council, and to carry out duties as may be assigned to them by City Council.

Free Bus rides during Strive not to Drive Week May 16-20

The City of Asheville will waive bus fares on all Asheville Transit routes May 16–20 in support of Strive Not to Drive week. The free fare week is geared toward encouraging Asheville residents to seek out alternative forms of transportation and introducing new riders to the city’s transit system.

“We want to make it easier for people to give transit a try,” said Transportation Planning Manager Mariate Echeverry. “Strive Not to Drive week is a great time to join others in the community in leaving the car at home and seeking out new ways to get around.”

Past promotions have indicated that waiving fares is an effective way to get more people to board the bus. In 2007, the City of Asheville conducted a three-month free-fare period that resulted in a 23 percent increase in ridership over the course of the promotion. Asheville Transit is currently examining even more strategies for bringing more people onto the bus.

Read more of this story on the City of Asheville’s blog at coablog.ashevillenc.gov.

Full Moon Market Supper May 17

West Asheville Tailgate Market presents: The FULL MOON MARKET SUPPER with Chef DREW MAYKUTH (of The ADMIRAL)

Four Course, Family Style Meal
- sourced completely from the Market
- vegetarian and meat options
Tuesday, MAY 17th : 7pm until DARK : $20

Dining at the Market Parking Lot (Grace Baptist Church lot)
Music by : Blind Boy Chocolate + The Milk Sheiks

COOKS. FARMERS. COMMUNITY. CONNECT.

Limited Seating Available.
Tickets available at The Admiral + Harvest Records + the Market
INFO : westashevilletailgate@gmail.com or on Facebook.

Haywood Road Corridor Committee meeting May 19

The next meeting of the Haywood Road Vision Plan discussion will be on Thursday May 19, 6 pm at the West Asheville Library meeting room. The discussion for the evening will center on transportation and the Haywood Corridor. Come and hear some updates on work being done or planned for the corridor and share new ideas as well. We will also have a brief discussion of City Council’s special upcoming meeting in west Asheville on May 31 and providing updates to City Council that night. Finally mobile food vending (food trucks) are happening in Asheville now and there will be a brief update for the possible changes to regulations governing their operation and presence.

West Asheville Map advertising deadline May 20

Just a quick reminder that ads are due for the 2011 edition of the onHaywood.com West Asheville map on Friday, May 20, 2011. Email print-ready art to alice@iodesign.net or contact hugh@onhaywood.com for more details. Advertising space is limited. The onHaywood.com map features businesses along and near Haywood Road in West Asheville. The new map will be available for distribution in June. Contact Hugh if you would like copies for display in your business or for a community event. Visit the companion website www.onhaywood.com for business and community listings.

French Broad River Cleanup May 21

Buncombe County Rescue Squad is teaming up with RiverLink to conduct a river clean up operation May 21, 2011. This will be a full day of awareness, community service, and environmental stewardship on a 4.3 mile section of the French Broad River in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts district. The cleanup will start at Jean Webb Park on Riverside Drive at 8:00 a.m.

The emergency agency is planning to involve as many groups, organizations and businesses as are willing to participate so as to have a real impact on the health and sustainability of the French Broad River in this community. Local fire and rescue squads will additionally utilize this operation as a training mission for swift-water rescue and support.

Buncombe County Rescue Squad is a 401(c)(3)non-profit emergency response organization that has been active in Buncombe County since 1962. They provide ambulance service, perform search and rescue, bicycle EMS, crowd EMS support and community outreach.

For additional information, please contact: Sgt. Amber Hartsburg (828) 707-8105 or Lt. David Pike (828) 279-8796.

Stream Restoration projects review in West Asheville May 26

RiverLink invites the West Asheville Community to West Asheville Park, for a Walk in the Park. We will be reviewing RiverLink’s stream restoration and water quality project along Rhododendron Creek , through the park. We will meet with Nancy Hodges, RiverLink’s Watershed Resource Manager, Jake McLean, from Baker Engineering and Doug Barlow aka. Brotherhug at 5pm on Thursday May 26th in the Parking Lot for an informative meeting.

In 2008, RiverLink was granted funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to improve the water quality and restore over a combined 1600 linear feet of Rhododendron and Buttermilk Creeks, tributaries of Hominy Creek. Rhododendron Creek runs through West Asheville Park and Buttermilk Creek through Malvern Hills Park, both heavily used neighborhood parks. RiverLink hired Baker Engineering and along with many neighborhood residents to design and implement the stream restoration and water quality measures in the parks.

Last fall we officially completed the construction of the project. This would not have been possible without the continual assistance and support of the neighborhood. Many residents came out to help plant the riparian zone of the stream bank and/or remove exotic species.

Currently, there is ongoing utility work along Morris and in the lower section of the Park. Over the next few months residents might see occasional maintenance work being conducted to help maintain the water quality features and stabilize the stream. RiverLink would like to invite citizens down to the park to learn in-depth about the restoration project, water quality features, and the newest RiverLink endeavor in West Asheville, the Hominy Creek Greenway Extension.

Block Party at Burton Street Center May 28

Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will host a Community Day & Block Party on Saturday, May 28, from 12 – 5 p.m. at the Burton Street Center, located at 134 Burton St. This day of family fun includes inflatables, face painting, crafts, balloon art, an All American cookout, and much more. Admission to the event is free.

For more information about the event, contact the center at 828-254-1942, or burtonstreetrec.center@ashevillenc.gov.

West Asheville City Council Community Meeting Tuesday May 31, 2011

Asheville City Council will hold a Community Meeting in West Asheville on Tuesday May 31, 2011, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. The meeting will feature presentations on city initiatives in West Asheville by city staff and area residents. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Mayor Bellamy, Council Members and the presenters will be available to answer questions and take comments.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Marsha Stickford, City of Asheville Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator, at mstickford@ashevillenc.gov or 259-5506.

Small Business Jump Start Day at A-B Tech Enka Campus

Asheville Savings Bank is sponsoring a Small Business Jump Start Day at the A-B Tech Enka Campus on Thursday April 28th from 4 pm until 6:30 pm. This free event is open to current or prospective business owners and no preregistration is required. Vendors will be available to answer questions regarding the following.

For more information, please contact Jill Sparks at jsparks@abtech.edu or 828-251-1921 ext. 5849.

West Asheville Urban Plant Walk

Come learn about the medicinal and edible plants growing in the sidewalks, gardens, and wild lots of downtown West Asheville! This event will be happening Saturday April 30th from 10:30 to 12:00, rain or shine. It will start at the Center for Holistic Medicine at 779 Haywood Road and venture off into the immediate neighborhood. The walk will be co-hosted by Nancy Hyton, Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Herbalist, and founder of the Center for Holistic Medicine, and Keri Evjy from Healing Roots Design, an edible and medicinal landscape design and consultation business. The cost is $5 for adults and includes a useful handout of the plants we will be talking about on the walk. Kids are free! Sign up in advance at the Center or just come by on the day of the event. You can also call us at 505-3174 or email nancy@centerholistic.com and we’ll put you on the list. More information can be found at centerholistic.com and healingrootsdesign.com.

West End Bakery celebrates 10 years in West Asheville

The West End Bakery on 757 Haywood Road in West Asheville is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, with an open house on Saturday April 30th from 4 to 8 pm. We will be selling homemade pizza slices as a fundraiser for the NC Organic Bread Flour Project. We’ll also have local beer and of course, Birthday Cake!! Drop in, say hello, see your friends and neighbors, eat some cake, drink some beer, support local wheat production, and HELP US CELEBRATE!  To find out more and to RSVP for the party, stop by the bakery, visit their facebook page, or check out the website, westendbakery.com.

Hominy Creek Cleanup Day

Join Riverlink, Second Gear, a West Asheville outdoor gear consignment shop and Friends of Hominy Creek for a cleanup day on Hominy Creek on Sunday May 1st from 10 am to 2 pm. Cleanup activities will take place both on the water and on foot. Lunch will be provided so contact jack@igleman.com to reserve a space in this cleanup.

French Broad River Paddle Trail presentation Apr 19

On April 19th, 2011, RiverLink will host a meeting on the French Broad River Paddle Trail at 5:30pm at the RiverLink’s Offices at 170 Lyman Street, Asheville NC. Anyone interested in the Paddle Trail is welcome to come and meet RiverLink’s 8 member French Broad River Paddle Trail Advisory Council and Landscape Architect Intern.  On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, RiverLink is hosting meetings on the Paddle Trail Design at 5:30pm at RiverLink’s offices. We will always give an overview and update from the last meeting, then continue with the evenings topic(s). In April we will be discussing Campsite design standards and on May 17th we will be looking at easements and campsite agreement structure. For more information go to riverlink.org.

Haywood Road Corridor meeting Apr 20

The next meeting of the Haywood Road Vision Plan project isWednesday April 20 at 6:00 pm at the West Asheville Library. The topic of the discussion for this evening will be the broad goal of sustainability and how ‘systems thinking’ can be integrated into all other aspects and subject areas of the vision plan. Dylan Ryals-Hamilton, a permaculture specialist will be providing some initial comments to kick off this evening’s study and he provided this summary to get everyone thinking about how this relates to the west Asheville community:

“We will be discussing the ideas of Permaculture and Systems thinking, as they apply to the sustainability of our vision plan. Systems thinking is a process of integrating the elements of a system (i.e. West Asheville/Haywood Corridor) in order to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts, rather than looking at the elements as separate and isolated issues. The emphasis in Permaculture and in Systems Thinking is placed on establishing connections between the elements (historic preservation; streetscape and community character; safety; transportation issues; zoning and land use; economic development; and sustainability) thereby forming beneficial relationships between them. These relationships increase efficiency, maximize diversity, and build resilience. In other words, we’ll be discussing strategies and modes of thinking to help West Asheville become a strong, efficient, resilient community, rather than just a place to live.

For example: because West Asheville is pedestrian friendly, residents and tourists alike are encouraged to slow down and stroll past small locally-owned businesses which they might otherwise fail to notice on faster moving roadways (as they race by in a car). Because these shops gain exposure and notice they are more likely to succeed. With a wealth of local business, West Asheville is able to slow traffic, encourage window shopping, and retain its own unique flavor/characteristics while simultaneously lowering its carbon/environmental footprint and keeping the money local, thereby creating more potential for local businesses to thrive. As local business expands, so do local job opportunities. Because more money is spent locally, more money cycles through the system for a longer period of time. More commerce leads to more opportunities for diverse business models, which attracts a more diverse array of shoppers, and so on.

The point here is that the power lies in the connections and in the relationships between the elements. The more connections that exist, the more yields the system can produce. The more yields produced, the greater the potential for connections to be made. Imagine how many more pedestrians would be attracted if there were just a few small parks or greenways closer to the Haywood corridor for example. People will recognize the distinct beauty and flavor of West Asheville because West Asheville recognizes the value of the connection between walk-ability, economic niches, sustainability, and commerce. This all stems from the fact that West Asheville is pedestrian friendly. The best part is that the community benefits from all of this!”

Come to the meeting to help identify the many connections that can be strengthened to create a community that is more than the sum of its parts. For more information contact Alan Glines at aglines@ashevillenc.gov.

Boys and Girls Club Summer kickoff event May 19th

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club will have a summer kickoff event to celebrate our kids and promote our upcoming summer camp. The free event will be held at the Boys and Girls Club on May 19th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at 750 Haywood Road. There will be food, live, music, carnival games, basketball games and much much more! Bring your family and celebrate with us at the Boys and Girls Club in West Asheville. Summer camp registration will be available. For more information or directions, call 255-0266.

Bojangles’ Easter Eggstravaganza at Carrier Park

The City of Asheville will hold its annual Bojangles’ Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Carrier Park on Amboy Road in Asheville. Activities include face painting, arts and crafts, inflatables, entertainment by the Mountain Thunder Cloggers, and a chance to have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny begin at 2 p.m. with Easter Egg Hunts scheduled for 4 p.m. All activities are free. For more information, visit ashevillenc.gov or call the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department at (828) 259-5800.

All Go West Fest Apr 23

All Go West is a one-day music and arts community festival located in West Asheville at the intersection of Waynesville Ave. and Haywood Road. Consisting of one top-of-the-line stage and production, All Go West showcases an extremely eclectic lineup, which supports highly demanded and up and coming talent both on the local and regional scene. All Go West is FREE – except for the beer and barbeque tasting. For more information go to allgowest.com.

Planet Art eARTh Day Celebration

Planet Art, a River Arts District business at 375 Depot Street is hosting a series of events, specials and parties during Earth Day week. Starting with a Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday Apr 20 and 25% off framing orders on Thursday Apr 21. Then finishing the week off with a costume party on Friday Apr 22 and a yART sale on Saturday Apr 23. Benefiting Arts for Life, RiverLink and Appalachian Voices, for more information go to discoverplanetart.com.

Riverlink Earth Day extravaganza in River Arts District Apr 23

RiverLink is holding an Earth Day extravaganza on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the RiverLink Performance and Sculpture Plaza at 119 Riverside Drive, across from Warehouse Studios.

RiverLink will offer a full slate of activities that day:

Make your own rainbarrel clinic — RiverLink will provide all the parts and tools and help homeowners assemble their own rain barrels for $30. We’ll also have rainbarrels for sale ($50) and barrels to take home ($10).

Neighborhood Big Draw – We will have mountains of art supplies, canvas and paper available for kids and adults to draw or paint a scene of the River or the River Arts District.

Computer and electronics recycling – We’re inviting the public to bring old computer equipment and cell phones (no TVs) for recycling.

Swap meet – Reduce the clutter around your house by bringing it for trading with others. We’ll have some tables set up, but have no Dumpster service, so be prepared to haul away what you don’t swap.

Free hot dogs for kids! We’ll also have white pine seedlings to give to the first 50 kids who show up to plant in their own yards.

Please contact RiverLink’s Director of Volunteer Services Dave Russell at 252-8474 ext. 11 for more information.

Haywood Road Vision Plan meeting April 20th

Please join your west Asheville neighbors and staff for a third community discussion for the Haywood Road vision plan which has the following 7 subject topics identified (so far) for consideration: historic preservation; streetscape and community character; safety; transportation issues; zoning and land use; and economic development; and sustainability.

The next meeting will be Wednesday April 20, 2011 at the West Asheville Library, starting at 6:00 PM and ending around 7:45.

The specific discussion for this night’s meeting will be sustainability: In some ways sustainability is not very specific but instead is a broad goal or guiding principle. Principles of sustainability can be identified as particular items through the subject topics covered by the plan. At this next meeting on Wednesday April 20, we will be identifying those connections, overlaps and possibilities for incorporating sustainability principles into the vision document.

Hominy Creek Greenway presentation

Next Tuesday, April 5th at 6:30pm, at the West Asheville Library community room, there will be a presentation about our newest greenway along Hominy Creek covering its history, the present state and dreams for its future. The presentation will be followed by an organizational meeting for the Friends of Hominy Creek Greenway to work with the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation department in its planning and development.
This is a wonderful new space for our community. It’s an historical spot in that it is the site of the first hydroelectric powered trolley in the world. Today it is a popular spot for cyclists and walkers for almost a mile along the banks of Hominy Creek.
Upcoming cleanup days:
Saturday, April 23, 10:00am-2:00pm – Cleanup of tires, litter and dump site in partnership with Asheville Greenworks. Meet at the Shelburne Road entrance.
Sunday, May 1, 10:00am-2:00pm – Creek cleanup sponsored by Second Gear and Riverlink. Contact jack@igleman.com to reserve a space in this cleanup.

Map of the Hominy Creek Greenway.

Find the Friends of Hominy Creek Greenway on Facebook or on the web.

West End Bakery turns 10!

The West End Bakery on 757 Haywood Road in West Asheville is having its 10 year anniversary, and they’re celebrating the whole month of April with daily specials such as 10 cent coffee and “Opening Day” prices.  The bakery has inspired a large and loyal following thanks to a wide variety of breads, muffins, delicious sandwiches and homemade soups, and most especially their amazing and addictive cinnamon rolls.

Newcomers to Asheville might be surprised to learn that until the late 1990′s many empty storefronts lined Haywood Road, and the classic 1920′s buildings stood mostly in a state of disrepair.  Now there are a variety of restaurants, salons, pubs, clothing boutiques, record stores and more; these days a west Asheville resident can fulfill all his or her shopping needs without leaving the neighborhood!  This month the bakery will display both old and new photos of the Haywood Road revitalization to celebrate the thriving and vital community that it is today. They would like residents and business owners to contribute their own memories and photos to add to the collection.

The bakery and its owners, Krista Stearns, Cathy Cleary, and Lewis Lankford participate in the local food movement and share a passion for utilizing local farmers and producers whenever possible.  They are one of only seven regional bakeries participating in the North Carolina Bread and Flour Project, which aims to link the farmer, the baker, and the miller with the goal of providing a viable market for organic hard and soft wheat and other small grains.

The anniversary festivities will end in a party that will double as a Benefit Open House for the NC Bread Flour Project, and feature music, beer, pizza, and birthday cake!  To find out more and to RSVP for the party, stop by the bakery, visit their facebook page, or check out the website, westendbakery.com.

City launches “Asheville Redefines Transit” campaign

The City of Asheville is making changes to the transit system over the next few months, based on recommendations from transit riders, business leaders and citizens.

The changes are part the “Asheville Redefines Transit” campaign and will be shared with the community at a public forum from 4-7 p.m. March 28 in the Municipal Building, located at 100 Court Plaza, downtown.

The meeting will be in the 4^th floor training room. It will be organized as a drop-in, so that people can come at any time to receive information about the campaign, which is being undertaken in four stages:

1. Listening to the community
2. Focusing on sustainability
3. Providing more frequent and reliable service
4. Supplying more and better information

Stage 1, “Listening to the community,” will be kicked off at the March 28 meeting.  Staff will collect residents’ feedback on the following proposed changes:

Increased frequency on main corridors:
Haywood Road
Tunnel Road
Merrimon Avenue
Biltmore Avenue
Patton Avenue
Improved route performance
Reduced number of deviations
Elimination of Dial-a-Rides
Changes to all routes and bus stops
Combining day and evening service
Adding more transfer points outside of downtown
Two cross-town routes
New service areas: ABCCM and Land of Sky Region Council

Attendees will also be able to view new draft maps and the Asheville Redefines Transit campaign website. This meeting is a continuation of the Transit Master Plan process begun in 2009-2010, which included three public meetings and the completion of more than 800 resident surveys. City Council approved the changes recommended in the plan in October 2009.

The full Transit Master Plan can be viewed at ashevilletransit.com.

To receive Transit email updates, send a request to iride@ashevillenc.gov.

The French Broad River Classique Canoe and Kayak Race

The 2011 French Broad River Classique Canoe and Kayak Race will be held on April 23 and 24. The first day of the race will begin at the Blantyre put-in on Route 64 near Etowah. Racers will paddle 18 miles to Westfeldt Park near the Asheville airport. Saturday evening will find anyone interested at the Asheville Outdoor Center for a supper provided by Laurie’s Catering. Awards will be given and a presentation by Riverlink on all their latest doings. Sunday will find the racers back at Westfeldt Park for the 16-mile paddle down to the Asheville Outdoor Center in Asheville. Also at the same time will be the 8-mile “fun” family/beginner race starts at Bent Creek and ends at the AOC. Awards for Sunday’s races, as well as the Classique overall winners, will follow. There will also be a drawing for some cool prizes. More information, including how to enter, can be found at: fbcanoeracing.org.