NC Stage - Asheville Comedy 'True West'

Asheville, NC – North Carolina Stage Company has added five performances to the run of True West, due to strong advance sales.  The comedy opens February 17th, and now runs for four weeks, through Saturday March 13. 

Tickets went on sale Monday February 8th for the additional performances, which are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30pm and one Saturday matinee at 2:00pm 

NC Stage has been watching advance ticket sales for True West, and decided to extend the run of the show this week.  The theatre typically sells about 20%-30% of its available seats before opening night; advance sales for True West are already over 50% of capacity.  

Asheville actors Charlie Flynn-McIver and Scott Treadway play estranged brothers in Sam Shepard's acclaimed comedy True West.  This brilliant and dangerous comedy premiered in 1980 and established Sam Shepard as a master of American theatre. The play also features Lance Ball and Kay Galvin, and is directed by Angie Flynn-McIver, cofounder and Producing Director of NCSC. 

Tickets for True West are $16-$26.  Tickets for Wednesday March 10th are $20, with half the proceeds benefiting Signal FM 90.5 in Haiti. 

North Carolina Stage Company is Asheville's professional non-profit theatre, presenting a year-round season of classic and contemporary plays, plus community-centered programs like the grassroots Catalyst Series and No Shame Theatre. NC Stage's 2009-2010 Season is sponsored by Blueprints for Business, The Colorful Palate Catering, Elizabeth Keel, PLLC, Imaging Technologies, the North Carolina Arts Council, Treadshots Photography.  Onstage Playbill Sponsors are Charlotte Street Computers and Wick and Greene Jewelers. 

Tickets are available at 828-239-0263 or www.ncstage.org, as well as the Pack Place ticket counter.

Asheville Chamber partners w/ Young Professionals

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF ASHEVILLE
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) and the Chamber have entered into a partnership to deliver the finest development opportunities for our community's future leaders. To celebrate this new relationship, the Chamber and YPA will be hosting a celebration for Asheville's young professionals on February 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Visitor Center at the Chamber Building.

"The partnership with the Young Professionals of Asheville is an exciting opportunity for the Chamber to provide leadership and professional development opportunities for Asheville's future leaders," said Rick Lutovsky, President of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. "Many Chambers nationwide find that young professional programs in their communities serve as a training ground for advancing these individuals into the leaders that our small businesses, corporations, and organizations need."

The YPA program is focused on business networking, personal growth, leadership development, and social interaction for individuals in the Asheville area between the ages of 21 and 40. Any young professional in the area is welcome to participate in YPA programs with discounted program rates offered to Chamber members and their employees. "Partnering with the Chamber will allow YPA to reach many more young professionals in our community and create opportunities that we would not be able to accomplish independently," said Grant Gosch, President of YPA, and Director of Business Development at First Light Solar.

The celebration on February 18 will showcase some of the many talents of Asheville's young professionals. The Colorful Palate will be providing hors d'oeuvres, Short Street Cakes will provide dessert, and Craggie Brewing Company will be providing local craft beer for the reception. For more information on the celebration please visit http://www.ypasheville.org/

Large sink hole @ Pomodoros Cafe in East Asheville

The Power Of Water!
On my way down US70 in East Asheville today I was surprised to find this rather large sink hole in the parking lot adjacent to Pomodoros Cafe. Most likely the result of a failed storm drain system under the asphalt parking lot. The hole is at least 10 feet in diameter and 8 to 10 feet deep. Appears no cars were parked at the location when the cave in occurred. I'm not certain when the sink occurred; has anyone heard of this already?

Be mindful where you park.
AP
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Do we practice what we preach?

Asheville is the largest purveyor of water in the Western North Carolina region. If you visit the City of Asheville official website you can find a lot of information about the city’s commitment to water conservation and some pretty helpful educational resources. My question is; are they practicing what they’re preaching? From a public perspective it would appear so. As you take a closer look you may begin to wonder about the sincerity of their effort. An example of what I’ve seen recently is indeed ironic. Within the past couple weeks I had visited the Asheville Water Maintenance Dept. While there I visited the bathroom facilities in the male locker room. As soon as I entered the room I heard the familiar sound of “a leak”. After spending 30 plus years in the plumbing trade I have what is called a plumber's ear; I notice audible leaks that most people wouldn't. What I found in this bathroom was antiquated to say the least.

-Every faucet had aerators that blasted out 3 gallons or more per minute
-One of the two toilets was a 3 to 5 gallon per flush water hog that had a leaking flapper therefore it was constantly running (this was the leak I heard)
-The shower-heads had not been upgraded

A toilet with a silent leak can waste as much as 7000 gallons of water per month. An audible leak can waste 25,000 gallons or more per month.

From what I have seen this is indicative of most city managed/owned buildings including schools. The city is preaching to the community about water conservation but has been very slow to upgrade there own facilities? Herein lies the problem from my perspective; It’s the “Do as I say not as I do” and the “It’s not my problem” mentality that are our biggest hurdles.

Asheville has a long history of being at the forefront of water efficiency in the region. I was first enlightened to this in a conversation with former Asheville Mayor Leni Sitnick. A couple years ago during a conversation she very proudly reminisced on some of the groundbreaking (at the time) efforts and ingenuity the City had demonstrated in the 70’s and 80’s. Recently Asheville has provided water conservation kits to its residents at no charge. Certainly on the outside Asheville seems to be “leading” the way to water efficiency.

-Have you ever seen a water leak on the street but didn’t bother to report it?
-Do you shave in the shower?
-How often do you pour the leftover pot of coffee down the drain?
-Do leave the lights on in a room when no one is there?
-Do you capture the water from the faucet or shower while you wait for the water to get hot, then use it to water plants or fill the pet bowl or flush the toilet?
-How many pairs of shoes do you own?
-Do you buy locally grown foods at your local farmers market?
-Do you buy bottled water?

It is very easy to talk about how to improve water and energy efficiency but most of us find it much more difficulty to take the action necessary to do it. Truth is the most effective means to help preserves this precious natural resource is available to everyone and best of all, it’s free. Changing our habits is the first step to creating sustainable change. If we don’t commit to changing ourselves we are not going to fix the problem.

I’d like to hear about your water conservation efforts or help you learn how to make simple changes that can make a difference.
Reply to: AquaPro

AP


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Asheville Yoga: What's the Buzz?

BIKRAM YOGA ASHEVILLE
Adi Westerman and Janet Horn are bringing the health benefits of yoga to the hot sweaty masses in Asheville.

They Don’t Mess Around
It’s hot. No really, really, seriously hot. I am wearing as little clothing as possible in a public place, standing about 3 feet away from another scantily clad individual with a nervous look on his face. We’re sweaty, we’re thirsty and we are secretly planning our escape. And this is yoga?

Not Your Mama’s Yoga Class
Bikram Yoga, also known as Hot Yoga, has developed quite a buzz in the global yoga community these days. Now folks here in Asheville are experiencing it for themselves. This particular branch of Hatha Yoga, or the physical form of yoga, founded by its namesake Bikram Choudhury, is performed in a room heated to around 105 degrees. A highly disciplined practice, students practice the same 26 yoga poses, 2 breathing exercises and 2 sets of each in every class.

By now you have most likely heard about the health benefits of yoga practice but perhaps not so sure about the intimidating 105 degrees? Bikram Yoga Asheville owner, Janet Horn says, “Just try it. While it’s not for everyone, the heat has many benefits." The sky high temperatures of a Bikram Yoga class not only helps to acclimate your body to heat (helpful when coping with hot flashes) and allows you to move safely and deeper into the body (great when dealing with injury) it also can be quite empowering and add quality to your life, increased self esteem leading to healthier lifestyle and eating habits according to Janet. Other reported benefits include relief from symptoms of asthma, chronic pain, high blood pressure and rosacea of the skin.

What’s Resolution Got To Do With It?
February 1st, the folks at Bikram Yoga Asheville kicked off their 60 Day Challenge where practitioners will complete 60 yoga classes in 60 days. Whew!

Want to know more? Check out this article recently featured in O, The Oprah Magazine about one woman’s 60 Day Total Life Makeover which included a Bikram 60 Day Challenge. And here is a follow up article.

More Resources
-Bikram Yoga Asheville’s website with class schedule and information for beginners.
-Here is what you can expect at your first Hot Yoga Class.
-More yoga classes in Asheville.

But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself and I’ll see you in class!

Lindsay Fields

Lindsay Fields is currently teaching yoga at Anytime Fitness in West Asheville and South Asheville Yoga Studio. For more information on yoga and Lindsay including her current class schedule, please visit lindsayfields.com.



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PR Pros connect for "A Sweet Success"

To get one's just desserts, public relations experts know that in 2010, the sweetness lies in connecting, not competing for success.

The Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina continues to embrace cutting edge practice and provide exceptional networking opportunities for industry executives throughout the region. As members respond to sweeping changes in information delivery and monetization, an emphasis on sharing knowledge and building trust has emerged.

This month, PRAWNC joins chocolatier Jael Rattigan of French Broad Chocolate Lounge in an after-hours event that reders traditional grip-and-grin networking passe' on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $12; the event is open to members and guests who RSVP by February 4.

Of course, Rattigan - whose impeccable palette and handcrafted chocolates are legend - has particularly handchosen artisanal chocolates for the gathering. Guests will sample pots de creme, salted honey caramel, and coconut macaroon with a chocolate grenache kiss. Complementary locally roasted French press coffee will accompany the treats.

Guests may also order signature liquid truffle hot sipping chocolates, local draught beer, small production wines, organic loose-leaf teas, and gift chocolates at the counter.

Ingeniously, the real "bon bon" of the evening isn't semi-sweet, it's semi-structured. Unique networking activities ensure that all comers walk away with real connections to others who celebrate and appreciate all things public relations, says Rachel Miller, vice president of PRAWNC.

"After all, isn't success sweeter when it's mutual and covered in chocolate?" Find out more.

The Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina hosts "Sweet Success" at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Asheville, Thursday, Feb. 11, at 5:30 p.m., the cost is $12 for members and guests and includes chocolates and French Press coffee. The French Broad Chocolate Lounge is located at 10 South Lexington Ave. For more information or to RSVP by Feb. 4, contact Rachel Miller at rachel@mountainbizworks.org

Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer, blogger, and communications consultant online at http://www.sherrimclendon.com. Email her directly at sherri@sherrimclendon.com, or read her media blog at http://sherrimclendon.blogspot.com.

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Carolina Pediatric Therapy Opens New Office

The staff of Carolina Pediatric Therapy Associates are settling into their new offices in South Asheville. The new space features more rooms for employees to conduct physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions, as well as a large gym-style room in which clients can receive services. The big room features such tools as a ball pit and swings, making therapy fun for young clients. A quiet, serene waiting room lets parents relax in comfort while their children are back with the therapist.

In addition to providing therapy in the new expanded office space, Carolina Peds continues to provide in-home therapy services as well.

The new office is located just off Hendersonville Rd. near the intersection with Long Shoals Rd., less than 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. For more information, call (828) 670-8056 or visit their website at www.carolinapeds.com.







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