Seasonal Sizzle in Asheville

GET YOUR HOLIDAY GROOVE ON WITH SEASONAL SIZZLE
-- Asheville Announces 21 Days of Not-So-Silent Nights --

Holiday nights in downtown Asheville get a glitzy makeover this December with Asheville Seasonal Sizzle: 21 days of not-so-silent nights. Merrymakers will enjoy free fireworks, live entertainment, seasonal appetizer specials at local restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville’s eclectic boutiques and craft galleries.

Weekend firework displays–Seasonal Sizzle at Seven–will take place on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in downtown Asheville. Participating independent restaurants will feature “Appy Hour” appetizer specials on Thursdays, Dec. 1 through 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Local restaurants will also offer “Sizzle Specials” on the Saturday evenings with fireworks (Dec. 6, 13 and 20). 

Asheville visitors will receive a warm holiday welcome as “Downtown Docent” guides walk the downtown streets directing guests to Seasonal Sizzle festivities, holiday happenings and other points of interest.

After the fireworks, visitors are encouraged to enjoy live music, theater and dance performances including the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, Asheville Ballet’s Nutcracker and holiday theater performances at North Carolina Stage Company, Diana Wortham Theater and Asheville Community Theater.

Visit AshevilleSeasonalSizzle.com for details.

 

Calendar Briefs: Free & Fun 2008 Holiday Events

Free Events

• Asheville Seasonal Sizzle: Enjoy 21 days of not-so-silent holiday nights as Asheville's nightlife explodes with holiday magic during Seasonal Sizzle in December. Merry makers will enjoy holiday firework displays, live entertainment, “Appy Hour” appetizer specials at local independent restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown's eclectic boutiques and craft galleries. Seasonal Sizzle at Seven Fireworks: Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 & 20 at 7 p.m.

• National Gingerbread House Competition: The National Gingerbread Competition at Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa attracts competitors from around the country who create colorful confectionary and architectural wonders. Delight in the imagination shown in these creations from sugar-and-spice castles to gum-drop covered chimneys. Nov. 17 to Jan. 11

• Giant Puppets on Parade & Singing Santa: Asheville gets decked out for the holidays with a family-friendly parade where giant locally-crafted puppets will march the streets of downtown Asheville. Lisa Sturtz of Red Herring Puppets has created larger-than-life creatures for the likes of Disney, Jim Henson Productions and The Ice Capades. After the parade, Singing Santa will croon and greet children before collecting his mail from the North Pole Express Mail Box at Prichard Park. Nov. 22 at 11 a.m.

• Dickens in the Village:  Historic Biltmore Village transforms into a quaint Victorian village on the first weekend of December. Horse-drawn carriages will trot along decorated streets as carolers, storytellers and instrumentalists stroll the village in period costumes. Watch live excerpts from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol performed by the Montford Park Players while enjoying fresh roasted chestnuts. Dec. 5 to 7

• Big Deals on Appalachian Crafts:  Bargain shoppers receive the ultimate gift at the annual Southern Highland Craft Guild's Holiday Seconds Sale held at the Folk Art Center. Just before the gift-giving season, Appalachian crafters from across the region place overrun, discontinued stock and studio seconds on sale for one day of festive holiday savings. Get up to 50% off pottery, jewelry, woodwork, glass art, furniture and more from some the region's finest artisans. Dec. 6

Holiday Traditions

• Santa Climbs Chimney Rock:  Before he climbs down millions of chimneys around the world, Santa practices on 315-foot Chimney Rock. Soak in the park’s 75-mile views as Santa rappels down this famous Blue Ridge Mountain monolith. Dec. 6 & 13

• America’s Castle by Candlelight:  Lit by candles, firelight and twinkling Christmas trees, George W. Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House glows during the holidays. America’s largest home dazzles with dozens of Christmas trees; hundreds of wreaths, bows and poinsettias; miles of evergreen garland; thousands of ornaments, tinsel, and beading; and a magnificent 35-foot Fraser fir. Nov. 7 to Jan. 4

• All Aboard! The Polar Express:  The Polar Express comes to life when the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad departs Bryson City for a journey to the North Pole. Read along with the magical story, meet Santa and enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa and a special present for Santa’s believers. Nov. 7 to Dec. 23

How can the Chamber better serve you?

Open thread: How can the Chamber better serve you? Is there something that we can be doing better, or doing more of? We want to know.

Write a comment on the blog to let us know how we can better serve you!

New VP of the EDC

The Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC) and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce announce the appointment of Benjamin P. Teague as Senior Vice President of Economic Development.

Teague is currently serving as Vice President of Economic Development with the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS and previously worked with the Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) in Ridgeland and Jackson, MS.

Teague is considered a new model economic development professional with experience in high-tech and niche recruitment, sustainable growth, public/private partnerships, innovative financing and strategic planning. In addition, he is schooled in the fundamentals of retention of existing industry and business, advanced manufacturing recruitment and start-up businesses.

“Ben is a highly motivated and articulate professional that will be an asset to our economic development program,” said Robert Sipes, Chairman of the EDC and Vice President-Western Region with Progress Energy. “Ben’s skills are a perfect complement to the present staff as the EDC assumes more responsibility for initiatives identified through the HUB Alliance effort,” said Richard J. Lutovsky, President & CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I am looking forward to joining an excellent economic development organization and being a part of the Asheville area’s growth and development,” said Teague.

Teague has a B.S. from Mississippi College where he played football and an MBA with honors from the University of Mississippi. He has been certified as an Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP) and will sit for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) exam later this year.

Teague’s start date is December 10, 2008.

Local jobs picture brightens slightly in September

Taken from the Mountain Xpress Website. Read the full article at http://www.mountainx.com

After a few months of steadily worsening job news, the Asheville metro area’s unemployment rate declined in September, according to the latest N.C. Employment Security Commission statistics.

The metro area (Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison counties) saw the rate dip to 5.2 percent from 5.5 percent in August. That rate tied with Durham for lowest in the state among metro areas.

In the four-county metro region, only Haywood saw an increase, from 5.6 to 5.7 percent. Buncombe held steady at 5.1 percent unemployment. The sectors in the Asheville metro area with the biggest job gains in September were: Government (2,100); Educational and Health Services (400); and, Trade, Transportation and Utilities (100)

2008 Sky High Growth Award Winners Announced

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Advanced Business Equipment, and the Advocates for Small Business will present the 2008 Sky High Growth Award to 62 small businesses that have experienced outstanding growth in sales and/or employment over the last several years. These 62 businesses collectively represent over $300 million in sales, over 2400 full-time jobs, and over 800 part-time jobs.

The program was held Thursday, October 30, at the Baker Exhibit Center in the North Carolina Arboretum located off of Brevard Road. The event began at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, networking, and special entertainment.

View a slideshow from the event on the Chamber website.

The following companies will be honored as 2008 Sky High Growth Award winners:

• A-B Emblem
• Acton Family Chiropractic
• A.L. Odom Locksmiths, Inc. (2 year winner)
• American Security Shredding, Inc. (3 year winner)
• Appalachian Carpet & Textile Cleaning, Inc.
• Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
• Applied Solutions Group, Inc.
• Asheville Art Museum (2 year winner)
• Asheville Fence
• Asheville’s Fun Depot (3 year winner)
• Asset Protection Network, Inc. (2 year winner)
• Avista Business Development Corporation (3 year winner)
• AVL Technologies
• Bank of Asheville
• Blue Ridge Pharmacy, Inc.
• The Brite Agency (3 year winner)
• Carolina Furniture Concepts (3 year winner)
• Carolina HR Partners, Inc. (2 year winner)
• Carolina Mountain Roofing and Construction, Inc. (8 year winner)
• Carolina Mornings (2 year winner)
• Charlotte Street Computers, Inc. (4 year winner)
• ClearPoint Marketing Communications
• Dynamic Image Marketing Systems, Inc. (3 year winner)
• Express Employment Professionals (2 year winner)
• First Restoration Services of Asheville, LLC
• First Tee Mountain Golf (4 year winner)
• Ginger Graziano Design Group (2 year winner)
• Girls on the Run of WNC
• Go Minis Portable Storage (2 year winner)
• Grovewood Gallery
• Haunted Ghost Tours of America, Inc.
• Highland Brewing Company, Inc.
• Home Instead Senior Care
• HomeSource Real Estate and Construction, Inc.
• HomeTrust Bank (6 year winner)
• Industries for the Blind (6 year winner)
• Intellisound, Inc. (5 year winner)
• i play, Inc.
• Johnson, Price & Sprinkle, PA
• Legal Copy, Inc.
• Mail Management Services, LLC (3 year winner)
• Mathis Electronics, Inc.
• McGill Associates
• The Montford Park Players (2 year winner)
• More Space Place (3 year winner)
• Mosaix Group
• OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling
• Palmer Wahl Instrumentation Group
• Phoenix Properties
• Plasticard Locktech International (8 year winner)
• Prudential Lifestyle Realty (4 year winner)
• Pomodoro’s Greek and Italian Café (3 year winner)
• Shoji Retreats & Lodge, LLC
• Smoky Mountain Machining, Inc.
• Snelling Staffing Services
• State Farm – Bill Russell Agency (2 year winner)
• TLC for You, Inc.
• Totsie.com Website Design Studio
• David Trout – Mutual of Omaha
• Woolworth Walk (2 year winner)
• Yellow Jacket Publishing
• YMCA of Western North Carolina (2 year winner)

November Small Business of the Month: Lynne Harty Photography

The Small Business of the Month for November is Lynne Harty Photography near downtown Asheville. Lynne Harty began her business in Asheville as a solopreneur in 2000.

Lynne Harty became a commercial photographer after graduating from college in 1984 in Atlanta. Like many entrepreneurs, Lynne moved to Asheville for the wonderful quality of life. She was hired by Mobilia to create a series of fine art prints which reflected the “look” of Asheville, and a similar series of colorful imagery is now in demand by other cities that are attempting to create or define a special “look” of their own.

Currently, Lynne has a show featuring some new directions in her fine art work at Mobilia on Haywood St. in downtown Asheville. Lynne donates many of her art prints for fund raisers for a variety of organizations. The Chamber has been the recipient of her work and has featured her photography on the covers of several issues of the Asheville Magazine.

Asheville receives high rankings from National Geo Traveler

I wanted to let you know that Asheville fares well in the Fifth Annual Places Rated Survey by National Geographic Traveler that rates the sustainability of special places around the globe. We ranked in the top 50 globally, 9th among the US destinations included, and 1st among NC rated destinations. I've posted links to the list and to the specific comments of the judges. The article which appears in the November/December edition of National Geographic Traveler is also posted below.

Historic Places Rated: Introduction
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/historic-destinations-rated/list-text
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/historic-destinations-rated/north-america-text/21

Photo: Cesky Kumlov, Czech Republic
Text by Jonathan Tourtellot
Photo by Massimo Ripani/SIME

It's time travel of a sort. You know the feeling. In rural Vermont, you walk into a country grocery store, the screen door slapping shut behind you, and you've stepped back 80 years. Walk the streets of Verona, Italy, and you step back 800—if it weren't for all the tourists, that is.

In this, our fifth annual destination-stewardship survey, we look at how well historic destinations are withstanding mass tourism, neglect, and wrecking balls—as well as the more subtle threat of overplaying the past, where a place ends up embalmed as a lifeless museum or Disneyfied into a cute parody of its true heritage.

For this year's survey, conducted by the Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, we chose more than a hundred historic places around the world. We then asked an international panel of 280 experts to evaluate the destinations based on our six criteria (see About the Survey). This being a destination survey, we skipped living museums and stand-alone sites and chose only populated communities possessing a historic character, district, or dominant site. The score for each place is the average of the panelists' ratings, accompanied by a sample of comments they posted in the course of the survey. We also skipped some destinations we'd rated in previous surveys.

Austria's Wachau Valley and Welk Abbey got top honors with a score of 88 for excellent preservation of both landscape and structures. Surprising to some might be one of the best U.S. ratings: a 78 for Columbus, Indiana, renowned for its modern architecture.

Lowest on the survey, Colorado's Central City scored only 34. Panelists agreed that behind its historic facades the town had lost its soul to ranks of gleaming slot machines. Suburban sprawl takes a toll, too. Charlottesville, VA, and Harpers Ferry, WV, have decent scores (72 and 67 respectively), but the greater "Hallowed Ground" countryside of which they are a part does not—45—due largely to rampant development.

Luckily, such failures are exceptions. Many U.S. destinations score well—Charleston, SC, Port Townsend, WA, Red Wing, MN, Asheville, NC. Some owe their success to downtown revitalization programs like Main Street, a well-respected initiative of the National Trust. In other cases, like Charleston, the citizenry as a whole has developed a sincere interest in protecting the character of the community.

In the end, people make the difference. No surprise there. A homegrown sense of stewardship, along with the support of caring visitors, is what will secure the future of our pasts.

Traveler and the National Trust for Historic Preservation

We publish these annual surveys in part to promote public discussion and action in support of destination stewardship. We encourage communities to take measures that will, in effect, raise their scores, and so become even better places to visit and live. In an unprecedented move, therefore, we are pleased to be working with Preservation magazine, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to help show why some U.S. places do well, others not so well, and what can be done about it.

Go to www.preservationnation.org, and you can read Preservation's in-depth online profiles of five U.S. towns selected from this survey. You can also learn about Trust programs, such as Main Street and Heritage Tourism, that help communities make the most of their historic assets. For your own visits, check out the Trust's Historic Hotels directory at www.historichotels.org.