The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands July 15-18

One of the favorites of the locals here is the bi-annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, coming up the weekend of July 15- 18, 2010. Running since 1948, the fair exhibits over 200 local and southern artists that are members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Here you will be surrounded by beauty through the workings of these artists, as well as demonstrators and musicians of the area. Taking place in the Asheville Civic Center, you can then peruse the beauty of downtown Asheville and all it has to offer.

Property Spotlight: Getaway to Cove at Add's Place

Peak through the bushes and find yourself tranquil at Cove at Add's Place. Nestled among the trees and creeks, this award- winning Southern Living design will leave you nothing but rested and happy with your retreat. Curl up in front of the massive 20 foot fireplace made with native stone; enjoy a book outside in the hammock; or sip a cocktail from the deck overlooking the beautiful valley. This cottage sleeps four, making it a wonderful romantic retreat for you and your honey, or a great place to gather with a small group. Get into your boots for wandering the property, or make it a lazy retreat right around the home. Whatever your preference, Cove at Add's Place has what you need.

Cabin Spotlight: It's About Perfect near Asheville, NC

How can you get any better than 11 acres in the mountains where scenic views abound?? The name of the cabin is About Perfect, and it pretty much says it all. Put on your sandals and explore the surrounding woods, or grab a pole and some bait and enjoy a day of fishing in the stocked pond. If you want to get out and experience some of Appalachia, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a short distance away. Or explore the cool town of Asheville only 20 minutes to the east, where you will enjoy great food, beer, music, art and more!
Hiking trails, a small pond, a cozy cabin for the whole family (sleeping eight), and close enough to anything your heart desires in the Asheville area makes it...well... About Perfect!

Beer and BBQ for local mill project in Asheville on July 17

When visiting Asheville, what better way to get to know the local scene than to support the local scene?? A major proponent of our local scene is our focus and love of local foods. Slow Food is an international organization that supports local food movements, and Slow Food Asheville is our chapter that is busy with our local WNC- grown grub. On July 17, Slow Food Asheville will be holding a fundraiser for another incredible local project we have going on: the North Carolina Organic Bread Flour Project, a project focused on having locally- grown and milled flour more readily accessible to area bakers. This follows a bake sale fundraiser that takes place at the North Asheville Tailgate Market (UNCA campus) on July 3, also to raise money for the Flour Project. Either or, you will find locally- produced super- tasty treats that give you a literal taste of Asheville!!

Asheville's Local Radio Station WNCW Birthday Jam(s)

Here it is, another year! Asheville's public radio station WNCW will celebrate 21 years by celebrating three different times, in three different towns at the WNCW 21st Birthday Jam. The first of the three parties is in Charlotte, NC at The Double Door Inn; the second party is in Greenville, SC at The Handlebar; and the third of the three is right here in Asheville, NC at The Orange Peel. Join together with the locals of either town and celebrate local radio, or follow the party to all three and really celebrate for support!

Property Spotlight: Villa Artista for the artist within

Combining mountain beauty with artistic Mediterranean flare, Villa Artista is a perfect getaway for those seeking peaceful inspiration. Located in Fletcher, Villa Artista is only minutes from Asheville but provides a tranquil space amongst over 3 acres of landscape and perennial cutting gardens. Relax in the hammock, stroll through the grounds, soak in the jacuzzi... whatever you enjoy for calming your nerves, Villa Artista offers much. Looking to veg out? Watch a movie on the plasma television with surround sound, or read a book in the sun-filled atrium. Sleeping up to six, this property is great for a small family event or a romantic getaway. Whatever your needs, check out Villa Artista for the artist within.

Zipline in Asheville, NC

Asheville has zipline- YAYYYYY!! About 20 minutes north of Asheville you and seven friends (they will take groups of eight) sailing through what is called Moody Cove in the Appalachian Mountains for about 3 1/2 hours, rain or shine- how exhilarating! I must admit that I've been dying to go but haven't made it yet, but thought I'd go ahead and share this adventure with you. You get the awesome experience of ziplining, rappelling, hiking and checking out wildlife from above while making your way across suspended sky bridges. Navitat Canopy Adventures is new to the Asheville area, but don't fret- they have two great, experienced guides to lead you through (click here to find out about Navitat's history). One more thing to add to your list of things to do in Asheville- how long is your visit gonna take now??

Asheville Gets Props!!

We make the grade!! The A grade, that is! In our last publication of our local independent paper, Mountain Xpress, they compiled all of the A lists that our quaint little town has made. I thought I'd share a few with you... maybe persuade you to visit, even if it's for a second or third time and you already know how great we are...
-We won Beer City USA!! Again! For 2010, Asheville beat Portland, OR in the Imbibe online poll.
-#1 for TopRetirement.com of Most Popular Retirement Towns, among many other lists/ polls for great places to retire.
-For the last few years, Asheville has made top two in the Top 25 Arts Destinations of the small cities category for American Style Magazine, and got #1 for 2010.
-We were listed in the Top 25 Green Cities of America by Country Home magazine, and made many other lists in polls for quality of life categories.
This is only a few of the lists that we have made top grade, and I suggest strongly that you come see for yourself!!

Mountain Family Farm Tour June 26 & 27

One of my favorite events in this area is the Mountain Family Farm Tour, organized by the Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project, a wonderful non- profit located here in Asheville. ASAP is an integral organization for our local foods movement that is strong in the Asheville area, and the farm tour is no exception. This year the tour gives the opportunity to visit 37 different farms throughout six counties, a wonderful way to see the western NC landscape and the beautiful family farms that are the framework. This is a great trip to bring the kids on, too- educational yet so fun they won't even realize!

The farm tour takes place on June 26 & 27, and you can visit any of the farms offered from 1pm-6pm either day. Take a look at the map and make a route; you can make a full day or two out of it and enjoy summertime in the mountains!

Cabin Spotlight: Fox Den

Fox Den is a cozy mountain retreat near Asheville, NC in the Wolf Ridge Ski Community. Comfortably sleeping six, this cabin also welcomes Fido (all of our pet friendly rentals) and has many great places for the whole family to take a hike in the mountains of North Carolina. Fox Den is also fully- equipped for a day indoors: a collection of DVD's, a professional dartboard, a full poker set, many board games, internet access... whatever your trip is destined for, Fox Den has the location and amenities to accomodate! What's best, Fox Den has great summer specials (all of our specials) for the travelers looking to save some money! Get in touch with us today to book a getaway!!

Father's Day in Asheville, NC

Father's Day is fast approaching and a trip to Asheville is in order! Here are a few great ideas on how to share the day with Dad and tell him how much you appreciate him...

-Take a hike, Dad- and I'll go with you! Asheville has soooo many beautiful places to go for a day hike, or a weeklong hike, whatever your fancy. The views are spectacular pretty much anywhere you go, and there are plenty of options for hiking to a waterhole.

-The Urban Trail, complete with beer! Asheville did make Beer City USA 2010, and the breweries here are not to be missed! Just in the downtown area, you have Greenman, LAB, Wedge, Craggie, and ABC; then there is Pisgah in Black Mountain, and Highland in the outskirts...

-Speaking of brew, I had already covered the Brew- Off event on June 19, a great Father's Day idea.

-I had also already covered the Asheville Tourists season, and the weekend is full of home games.

-If your Dad is into this kind of thing, a wonderful event that makes its way through Asheville every summer is The Gathering of the Peacemakers, a weekend long gathering celebrating and connecting with conscious awareness.

There are plenty of other great things going on in the Asheville area to celebrate with and honor Dad; why not give him a full weekend of it??!

Great Father's Day idea: Asheville Brew- Off June 19

Celebrate Father's Day (June 20) by accompanying Dad to the Asheville Home Brew- Off!!
The first annual Home Brew Competition and Tasting will take place on Saturday, June 19 from 2p-4p, outside of Wedge Brewing in the River Arts District. Asheville did make Beer City USA for the second year in a row (YAY!!); come check out what the home- brewers are concocting in this beer- loving town! If Dad enjoys a good bubbly, what a perfect way to spend the day celebrating Father's Day. Or, if your wonderful partner needs a day to rest and relax, get him a ticket to this great event and give him the day to just be. Cheers to you, Dad!



http://justeconomicswnc.org/brew-off-ashevilles-home-brew-competition-tasting/

just economics wnc

Asheville Art in the Park

Asheville Art in the Park is back this June for three Saturdays in the new Pack Square Park: June 12, 19 and 26, from 10am-5pm each day. Here you can visit booths from some of our talented local artists; in October the market housed more than 80 of the multitudes of creative spirits who reside here. Art in the Park is a great market to visit for those who want to take a bit of Asheville home with them, literally. The market is a perfect place to get a taste of
Asheville and our culture, while also supporting some of our non- profits: 10% of the proceeds from sales go to various local non- profits. Gather the family and enjoy a beautiful summer day in a beautiful new park in a cool town!!

Cabin Spotlight: A Wilderness Haven Near Asheville, NC

If you are looking for a true mountain experience but with a bit of extra posh to let you know you are on a vacation and not on a back country expedition, Wilderness Haven is a perfect property for you! A luxury cabin located in Candler, Wilderness Haven sits on a 1.3 acre lot with it's own private putting green, a game room with foosball, flat- screen televisions and more! There are plenty of great things for you to enjoy at the cabin, yet Candler is close enough to Asheville to enjoy any activity that your heart's desire. One of our cabins on special this month, you can stay for three nights at Wilderness Haven and get the fourth night for FREE!! We also offer FREE TICKETS TO AREA ATTRACTIONS with each night of your stay! Wilderness Haven is a cabin that sleeps 8 and also allows your furry, four- legged friend, so load up the family for a mountain getaway!!

Baseball in Asheville, NC

Yes, Asheville does have a baseball team! The Asheville Tourists are our Minor League Baseball team, and there are still many home games left in the season to enjoy at historic McCormick Field (read all about McCormick Field's history)! Check out the 2010 schedule, complete with the 13 home games that are considered Thirsty Thursdays ($1 beer!!)- any Thursday home game is a Thirsty Thursday, and there are still quite a few left in the season. There are also many other promotional events, where not only do you enjoy the fun of a baseball game with (or without) the family, you get free or super- cheap cool stuff! And, there are two home games scheduled for July 2 and 3- what a great place to enjoy the fireworks!!
Baseball has been said to be America's Favorite Pastime, so why not load up the family and head on downtown- enjoy a game, peruse the great Asheville scene, drink cheap beer... what could be better??!