Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread for Saturday, October 1st. We try to get together every weekend to share with everyone what we're all up to in Western North Carolina and beyond.
We hope this group and others serve to invigorate us locally and regionally here on Daily Kos, building on the sense of community that's grown through our online engagement.
DKos Asheville and other local and state groups can give us all a better sense of connection, a better understanding of who we stand with, work with and share with. We hope this local and wider community can help leverage our orange passion for progressive politics to move the county forward.
Following is the Daily Kos Mission Statement and we are proud to be part of this movement, on the keyboards and on the ground.
Daily Kos fights for a progressive America by empowering its community and allies with information and tools to directly impact the political process.
Please jump the fold, this week we look at area events, local governance and politics along with leaf turning predictions. Oh, and Chelsea!
Forecast: The number one question is: “When is the peak color?” No matter when you plan an autumn visit in October or early November, you can take a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or other mountain roads to find the best color of fall leaves. Elevation and weather are the biggest factors in the color show. Leaves begin their color change on the highest peaks and gradually work down to the lowest elevations. An early frost speeds up the show and warm weather prolongs it.
- October 3-9: Highest elevations north of Asheville above 5,000 feet show the most color, especially in the Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain, Beech Mountain, Rough Ridge,Waterrock Knob and Graveyard Fields areas.
- October 8-16: Color will increase in elevations greater than 4,000 feet, including the areas near Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam, and Devil's Courthouse southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will also be peak color in the Cashiers area, including Whiteside Mountain with the Shadow of the Bear and plenty of waterfalls to enjoy, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- October 14-23: Many of the surrounding mountains around Asheville show plenty of color, especially in the 3,000-4,000 foot elevation range. Take the Parkway north or south from Asheville or drive theForest Heritage Scenic Byway. A great hike in Pisgah National Forest would be Looking Glass Rockor Cradle of Forestry. North of Asheville, head to Banner Elk and Linville Gorge with hikes to the top of Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain. West of Asheville, Bryson City and Fontana Lake areas will peak.
- October 20-29: The city of Asheville (2,000 feet elevation) shows the brightest colors includingBiltmore Estate, along with areas around Sylva and Saluda. This is the perfect time for a waterfall hike in DuPont State Forest or leisurely walk at the NC Arboretum.
- October 25-November 5: The color show fills the Hickory Nut Gorge at Chimney Rock (elevation of 1,300 feet). Take a boat tour on Lake Lure. Also explore Lake James and South Mountains State Parks.
- November 1-8: The foothills around Rutherfordton and the Tryon Foothills Wine Country will conclude the color show.
The second longest running folk festival in western North Carolina returns for its 49th year onOctober 1, 2016. The Bascom Lamar Lunsford “Minstrel of Appalachia” Festival will take place on the campus of Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, North Carolina. Most daytime festivities will be located on the upper quadrangle of the university campus from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and are free to the public. The Mars Hill Heritage Festival takes place on Main Street and College Street in conjunction with the Lunsford Festival, The evening concert in Moore Auditorium, featuring performances by the region’s best ballad singers, dancers, and string bands, is a ticketed event. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door; tickets for children under 12 are $5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
The Asheville Zombiewalk meets in Aston Park on Sunday, October 9 at 5:30pm. We’ll be walking from there 10-12 blocks to an endpoint downtown.
The Asheville Zombiewalk is committed to remaining fun for the whole family. And it’s always free. We look forward to seeing a great group of zombies of all ages. Everyone is invited to make yourself look rotten and bring your fellow horde.
And finally, we need you! If you would like to volunteer as a zombie crossing guard, fill out our volunteer form or contact us at ashevillezombie@gmail.com to join the Shuffle Patrol. There will be a crew after-party for all volunteers! Visit the Asheville Zombiewalk’s website at ashevillezombiewalk.com for more event details.
ASHEVILLE - More downtown development projects and hotel projects throughout the city may face higher hurdles in getting permission to build. The City Council is considering new restrictions In a move to slow the number of large downtown construction projects and the growth of new hotels throughout Asheville.
The council's idea would include downtown projects exceeding 100,000 square feet -- or that are taller than 100 feet — requiring them to get approval from the city's top elected body. Any hotel with more than 20 to 25 rooms would also have to get council approval.
Right now in what is called the "traditional downtown core," any project up to 175,000 square feet or 145 feet in height can get approval without coming before the council, and hotels are treated the same as other development projects. Councilwoman Julie Mayfield said the changes proposed at Tuesday's regular council meeting would preserve and add to the "urban fabric" and "vibrancy" of the city.
ASHEVILLE – Climate change is an environmental threat and an economic opportunity for the United States, Chelsea Clinton told people Wednesday at a downtown nonprofit working on the issue. She said her mother, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, has said during the campaign and when she was secretary of state "that some country will be the (clean) energy superpower of the 21st century and she thinks it should be us."
Increasing the proportion renewables make up of the nation's energy use will not only fight global warming but create good jobs and dovetail with Hillary Clinton's plan to improve the nation's infrastructure, Chelsea Clinton said.
She spoke to about 180 people in a meeting room at The Collider, which helps businesses and governments understand the likely effect of global warming on them, provides educational programs about climate change, provides co-working space for entrepreneurs in the field and makes other efforts to spark the growth of businesses dealing with the issue. Another 90 or so watched a video feed in an adjoining room in the building at 1 Haywood St.
Compiled here are our candidacy announcement articles for all the Buncombe County School Board hopefuls. Click on the links below to learn more about each candidate and also read the article on the recent candidate forum. Keep checking CITIZEN-TIMES.com for continuing coverage of local, state and national races as Election Day approaches.
Incumbent Ann Franklin, seeking the North Buncombe seat (unopposed).
Incumbent Amy Churchill, seeking the Roberson seat.
Laura Bowen, seeking the Roberson seat.
Peggy Buchanan, seeking the Owen seat.
Bob Chilmonik, seeking the Owen seat.
Mark Crawford, seeking the Owen seat.
Mark Siler filed to run for the Owen seat, but has since announced his desire to withdraw from the race. The request came too late and his name will appear on the ballot.
Matt Kern, candidate for at-large seat.
Donna Pate, candidate for at-large seat.
Amy Smith Wamsley, candidate for at-large seat.
1. In person, at a county board of elections office – the Buncombe County Board of Elections is located at 189 College Street in Asheville, phone 828-250-4200; the Henderson County Board of Elections is located at 75 East Central Street in Hendersonville, phone 828-697-4970.2.
2. In person, at One-Stop absentee voting sites – Citizens can register and also vote at the same time, if you wish, at any One-Stop absentee (early) voting site. These sites will be open from October 16 until November 1. See below for a list of One-Stop locations for both Buncombe and Henderson counties.
3. In person, at many government offices – Citizens can get a registration form at Driver’s License offices, Employment Security Commission offices, and most Social Security agencies. The agency will turn in the completed form to the county board of elections. Many libraries and colleges have the forms as well.
4. In person, during a voter registration drive – Many civic groups and political parties set up tables at stores or run registration drives to register people to vote. They typically turn in the form for you; if not, mail it to the county board of elections yourself.
5. By mail – You can fill out and mail in your registration form. Residents can get a form from the Buncombe County Board of Elections office or the Henderson County Board of Elections office or print it from the State Board of Elections website at www.sboe.state.nc.us. See the website for a complete listing of county board addresses.
Do you know where to vote in the upcoming election? Maybe you haven't voted in a while or you're new to the area or your community. There's also a chance that your polling place has changed since the last election. Here we've compiled links to boards of elections in local counties that you can consult to find information. So figure out where you need to go, and get out and vote.
Where do you vote on Election Day? Find details on polling places here at the State Board of Elections public voter search.
DKos Asheville October Meet Up
What: A Daily Kos meet up for DK members and interested parties before the Moral Mountain Monday rally in downtown Asheville.
When: Monday, October 24th — 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Asheville
Why: Connecting face to face, sharing information, getting inspired and adding to the crowd that is there to support Reverend Barber the week early voting starts.
Food: White Duck Taco (Recommened by Markos)
The Downtown Duck is adjacent to Pack Square and easily walkable from any hotel or parking garage. The Biltmore Ave Parking garage is next door. There is a pet friendly courtyard seating 50 in the back of the restaurant.
12 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 232-9191
Fun: Yes Family: Yes
Attendees:
randallt, Joieau, davehouck, Lamont Cranston, SteelerGrrl, SteelerGuy, Gordon20024, Otteray Scribe, Burns Lass
Maybees: TexDem
Click here to add your name
Mountain People’s Assembly
From Mountain People’s Assembly
Join us for Mountain Moral Monday 2016 at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville.
When: Monday, October 24 – 4-6 pm
Where: Pack Square Park/Roger McGuire Green
Who: Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. William Barber, President NC-NAACP
If you would like to volunteer for this inspiring event, please email us here.
Thanks for Reading, I hope you are able to enjoy this perfect weather! Have a great week!