Asheville Named a Dog-friendly Region

Woof! DogFriendly.com released its list of top 10 dog-friendly resort regions in the United States for 2009. Asheville made the list due to the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, things to do with your dog, dog parks and dog-friendly patio dining. 

Looking to travel with Fido this summer? Start planning your visit today.

Asheville featured on Good Morning America

Asheville’s reputation as a great city and hot summer destination was the center of attention with Good Morning America’s episode of "Weekend Window." Check out the episode for yourself, and see why Asheville caught their eye.

Traveling on the 4th? Come to Asheville.

Come to Asheville for July 4th weekend to see blazing fireworks, live music, and family fun.

Friday, July 3

• Asheville Drum Circle at Pritchard Park, 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., FREE
• Good Ole Boys, at Feed & Seed, 3715 Hendersonville Rd, 7:30, Donations accepted

Saturday, July 4

• Mountain Artisans Art and Craft Show , 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $3 for adults, FREE for kids
• MPAC's Block Party in Weaverville, 10:00 am to 10:00 p.m., FREE
• Silver Dagger Band at Feed & Seed, 7:30 p.m., Donations accepted
• Whiteacre and Shindig on the Green, MLK Park, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., FREE
• Fireworks, MLK Park, 9:30 p.m., FREE

Sunday, July 5

• Mountain Artisans Arts and Craft Show, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  

Food Bloggers Compete in Asheville Cook-off

Some of the nation’s most popular food bloggers paired up with local chefs to test their creativity at a gourmet cook-off at Asheville-Buncombe Technical College on Tuesday.

The teams received mystery boxes filled with locally grown produce donated by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), chorizo from Hickory Nut Gap Meats, trout from Sunburst Trout Farm and local products from Blue Ridge Food Ventures.

Talented Foodies
The teams included:

• Chef Adam Hayes of the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen


• Chef Michel Baudouin of Bouchon French Bistro and Helen McSweeney of Tartelette


• Chef Annie Pettry of Savoy and Alison McConnell of Humble Gourmand


• Chef Anthony Cerrato of Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana and Tami Hardeman of Running with Tweezers


• Chef Tres Hundertmark of The Lobster Trap and Todd Porter of White on Rice


• Chef Michael Gentry of the Swannanoa School of Culinary Arts and Brian Geiger of The Food Geek
  
  

The Grand Winner
The winning team was Chef Annie Petri of Savoy and Alison McConnell of Humble Gourmand. They wowed the judges with a fennel blueberry goat cheese salad and a main course of trout, red quinoa, chorizo risotto and yellow squash and basil slaw

Enjoy Free Music at Downtown After 5

Looking for something fun--and free--to do in downtown Asheville this summer? Come to Downtown After 5 on North Lexington Ave. The fun begins promptly at 5 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. This year’s featured acts include:

• June 19: The Cheeksters, Brushfire Stankgrass and Geoff Achison with special guest Randall Bramblett


• July 17: Jen and the Juice, King Johnson and Hill Country Revue


• August 21: Silas Durocher and Everyone Knows, Radasaurus Rex and Pimps of Joytime


• September 18: Vertigo Jazz Project, The Bridge and Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Artists at the Grove Arcade

Janice Rose, an Asheville artist, displays brightly painted hand-crafted gourds outside of the Grove Arcade. The Grove Arcade features roadside artisans, such as Janice, daily. The Grove Arcade was the grand dream of E.W. Grove, a self-made millionaire who moved to Asheville in 1910.

Celebrate Father’s Day in Asheville

Forget wrapping up a tidy gift for Father’s Day. Instead, give Dad a family experience in Asheville. You’ll enjoy catching up with dear ol’ Dad, and he’ll savor being the center of attention for an entire day.

Treat him like king of the castle with these fun ideas:

• Tap into his rugged side with hiking, fly-fishing, river rafting, or a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Father’s Day forecast promises lots of sun and temperatures in the low 80s, a winning combination for a day spent outdoors.


• Tee up on one of our numerous golf courses. Share a laugh or reminisce as you try to out-putt dad.


• Sample some of the best brews in the nation with a Brews Cruise of Asheville or take a self-guided tour of downtown’s micro-brewing scene. Asheville’s rocking beer scene was recently named East Coast Beer City USA!


• Indulge with a delicious meal that celebrates Asheville’s field-to-table culture. Barbecue ranks high on the man-food menu, so check out the numerous barbecue joints around town. Local restaurant 12 Bones won Good Morning America’s “Best Bites” contest in 2007.

Asheville Picture of the Week

The roses are in full bloom outside of the Basilica of St. Lawrence in downtown Asheville. Designed by Rafael Gustavino and Richard Sharpe Smith, renowned architects who worked on Biltmore House, this Catholic church has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country.

Celebrate Asheville’s Beer City USA Win

Help Asheville celebrate its East Coast Beer City USA title with victory party on Friday, June 26, at the Orange Peel. The Beer City Bash—sponsored by Bruisin’ Ales, The Orange Peel and Mountain Xpress—kicks off at 8 p.m. All beer served at the event will be locally brewed.

Tickets are $10 per person (ages 21 and older). Admission includes two nine-ounce craft beers, a raffle ticket for door prizes and live music. Featured bands are Rat Jackson, Wilsin and Floating Action.

Proceeds from the event benefit two local non-profits: Asheville Brewers Alliance and Arts2People. Purchase tickets online or by calling 866-468-3399.

An Inside Look at Asheville’s Art Scene

A look at the passion that drives Asheville’s art scene--just in time for the Downtown Gallery Association’s art walk this evening.

Art Walks for the Weekend

Visit the Asheville-area this weekend for a taste of local talent:

• Stroll through the city to enjoy the Downtown Gallery Association’s art walks on June 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The walk begins at 16 Patton Avenue, with over 30- participating galleries. Visit the Bender Gallery, which features the region’s most prevalent glass collections, stroll through the Asheville Gallery of Art and admire the Asheville Art Museum’s 20th-century American-style art collection.
  
  
• On June 6 and 7, Black Mountain offers a FREE arts and crafts show. Watch as Bob Stuart carves a “Woodland Spirit” or feast your eyes on Diane Enger’s handmade wire beads with Swarovski crystal. Other craft show artisans include pottery makers, oil painters, carpenters and steel artisans.
  

Get more information on Asheville’s art walks.