Asheville

Uncategorized

Western North Carolina Needs Your Help!

September 30, 2024 by 2 Comments

Western North Carolina got hit incredibly hard by the combination of a wet weather front that was followed a day later by Hurricane Helene. Some places received over 20 inches of rain total which has led to catastrophic flooding throughout the region. This includes northeastern Tennessee, the upstate of South Carolina, the Atlanta area, and certainly Florida in addition to us here in WNC.

The Complementary Spouse and I are OK and our house has received no damage. Fortunately, we are not close to any creeks and there are no large trees in our development. The road to our neighborhood is open again. The worst we face is having cleaning out the refrigerator. All in all, we are in a fortunate position unlike so many others in western NC – and elsewhere.

Others were not so fortunate. My friend Tim Glance of Old Grouch Military Surplus had three feet of water in his store from the Pigeon River. This was the first time his building has ever flooded in 120 years. I have written about his store in the past.

Power, cell, and internet are all out or sporadic at the best. The City of Asheville water system has been damaged and it provides service to more than those within the city limits. Water distribution sites have been set up. 40 people are reported killed in Buncombe County, 5 in Henderson County, and 4 in Haywood County. The death toll will undoubtedly rise as more bodies are found. The town of Chimney Rock has been washed away. Most of the town is now floating in Lake Lure.

Lake Lure now

Interstate 40, the main east-west artery into Western NC, is damaged in both directions and it will take months to repair the area washed out in the Pigeon River Gorge. The last time this happened in 2004, it took most of a year to finish the repairs.

I could go on and on with the pictures of the devastation but you get the idea. This leads to the question of how you can help. A number of organizations are already on the ground helping and I think the best thing would be donations to them.

The first organization that I will like to mention is Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte. I served on their Board of Directors for 7 years plus I was chair of their Asheville office advisory board. I know that your dollars won’t get wasted by donating to them.

Following up on this is this list provided by Blue Ridge Public Radio.

Flight-Based Relief

Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief

  • Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
  • The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
  • BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
  • A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
    GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief

  • Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
  • There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.

Operation Airdrop

  • The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains. 
  • For more information, visit the website.

Government-Led Relief

Buncombe County Government

  • If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
  • If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org

School-Based Support

The University of North Carolina System

  • There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
    Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
    NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
    UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
    Western Carolina University Emergency Fund

Local Verified Groups

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

  • A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
  • The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
  • The request is for financial donations online.
    https://www.heartswithhands.org/
  • Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

  • The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
  • Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
  • There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.

BeLoved Asheville

  • On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
  • Cash donations can be sent via:
    Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
    CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
    Zelle: 828-412-2054
  • Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
  • Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
  • Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
  • For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.

Haywood Christian Ministry

  • Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
  • The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
  • For info and to donate, go here.

Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville

  • Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
  • The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
  • You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.

Foothills Food Hub

  • Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
  • Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

  • The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
  • The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

  • The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
  • Donations can be made online here.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

  • The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
  • To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.

Homeward Bound in Asheville

  • The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
  • For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.

Mountain Projects

  • Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
  • Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
  • For more, visit the organization’s website.

WNC Regional Livestock Center

  • Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
  • Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
  • More information is available here.

Democracy Green

  • Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group’s Facebook page.
  • Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.
  • Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.
  • As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).
  • Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.

Flight-Based Relief

Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief

  • Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
  • The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
  • BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
  • A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
    GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief

  • Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
  • There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.

Operation Airdrop

  • The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains. 
  • For more information, visit the website.

Government-Led Relief

Buncombe County Government

  • If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
  • If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org

School-Based Support

The University of North Carolina System

  • There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
    Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
    NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
    UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
    Western Carolina University Emergency Fund

Local Verified Groups

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

  • A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
  • The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
  • The request is for financial donations online.
    https://www.heartswithhands.org/
  • Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

  • The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
  • Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
  • There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.

BeLoved Asheville

  • On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
  • Cash donations can be sent via:
    Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
    CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
    Zelle: 828-412-2054
  • Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
  • Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
  • Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
  • For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.

Haywood Christian Ministry

  • Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
  • The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
  • For info and to donate, go here.

Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville

  • Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
  • The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
  • You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.

Foothills Food Hub

  • Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
  • Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

  • The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
  • The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

  • The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
  • Donations can be made online here.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

  • The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
  • To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.

Homeward Bound in Asheville

  • The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
  • For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.

Mountain Projects

  • Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
  • Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
  • For more, visit the organization’s website.

WNC Regional Livestock Center

  • Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
  • Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
  • More information is available here.

Democracy Green

  • Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group’s Facebook page.
  • Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.
  • Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.
  • As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).
  • Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.

Flight-Based Relief

Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief

  • Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
  • The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
  • BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
  • A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
    GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief

  • Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport.
  • There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group’s dedicated Facebook page.

Operation Airdrop

  • The group is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains. 
  • For more information, visit the website.

Government-Led Relief

Buncombe County Government

  • If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
  • If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org

School-Based Support

The University of North Carolina System

  • There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.
    Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
    NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
    UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
    Western Carolina University Emergency Fund

Local Verified Groups

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

  • A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
  • The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
  • The request is for financial donations online.
    https://www.heartswithhands.org/
  • Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

  • The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
  • Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
  • There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.

BeLoved Asheville

  • On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
  • Cash donations can be sent via:
    Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
    CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
    Zelle: 828-412-2054
  • Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
  • Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
  • Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
  • For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.

Haywood Christian Ministry

  • Western North Carolina’s largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
  • The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
  • For info and to donate, go here.

Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville

  • Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
  • The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
  • You can donate online or use the non-profit’s Amazon Wish List here.

Foothills Food Hub

  • Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.
  • Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

  • The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
  • The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

  • The non-profit helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it’s 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims.
  • Donations can be made online here.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

  • The ministry helped run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced.
  • To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.

Homeward Bound in Asheville

  • The organization provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached.
  • For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.

Mountain Projects

  • Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
  • Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
  • For more, visit the organization’s website.

WNC Regional Livestock Center

  • Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
  • Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
  • More information is available here.

Deploying Relief, Volunteers

American Red Cross of North Carolina

  • At the storm’s peak, the organization opened more than 15 shelter locations in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.
  • You can volunteer to serve with the American Red Cross or you can donate blood, which assists medical facilities in responding to disasters. 
  • You can make an online donation or give by texting Helene to 90999.
  • More information is available here.

Americares Emergency Response Team

  • The group is deploying to North Carolina, starting in Asheville.
  • Donations to Americares Hurricane Helene Relief Fund will support health services for survivors, such as deliveries of medicines and relief supplies and support for damaged health facilities. The group partners with local clinics.
  • For information and to donate, go here.

Salvation Army of the Carolinas

Baptists on Mission

  • North Carolina Disaster Response volunteers will serve in communities as conditions allow. If you are interested in serving in flood recovery, chainsaw and temporary roof repair, you can volunteer on the organization’s website.
  • Donations are accepted online and by check. Click here for more.

Samaritan’s Purse

  • The organization is responding to the High Country (northwestern North Carolina) and eastern Tennessee. The community of Boone, where Samaritan’s Purse, is based has been deeply impacted.
  • Volunteers are needed for deployment starting Sept. 30. 
  • Donations are accepted online. Click here for more info. 

North Carolina Community Foundation

  • The foundation’s disaster fund can be activated after natural disasters in the state.
  • Plans and information are pending. For more information, visit the website.

Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina

  • The organization plans to deliver items to flood victims in Western North Carolina.
  • Monetary contributions also will help relocate families with foster children to secure accommodations, such as hotels or AirBnBs.
  • Item drop-off locations will be announced on the group’s Facebook page here.
  • To make an online donation, visit the alliance’s website.

Team Rubicon

  • The organization is responding with route clearance teams in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and is planning response operations in Buncombe County.
  • Volunteers are needed for deployment starting immediately. Click here to sign up.
  • Donations are accepted online. Click here to fund the Hurricane Helene response. 

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)

  • The group is a non-profit arts service organization that provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief.
  • The organization is accepting donations that will help Helene victims in WNC, where there is a dense craft-artist population.
  • To learn more or donate, go here.

Water Mission

  • The group is starting in Boone and will take aid to the hardest-hit areas of Western North Carolina.
  • Relief items from the Christian engineering non-profit include: generators, supplies, and water treatment equipment.
  • To donate and learn, go here.

Mercy Chefs

  • The organization is deploying to Western North Carolina to serve prepared meals to volunteers on the ground, first responders, and community members stranded by the disaster.
  • To learn more and donate, go here.
Uncategorized

Asheville – The East Coast Of Maui?

November 25, 2020 by

I was just reading about the upcoming holiday and early season basketball tournaments. CBS Sports was ranking which ones were the best for real basketball junkies.

Number one was the Maui Invitational featuring such teams as my UNC Tar Heels, Providence, Stanford, Davison, Alabama, Texas, Indiana, and UNLV.

However, what had me rolling on this floor was the location of the Maui Invitational. Let’s just say it isn’t Hawaii.

Asheville is now the location of the 2020 Maui Invitational.

Asheville, the San Francisco of Appalachia, the Austin of the Carolinas.

1. Maui Invitational

Dates: Nov. 30-Dec. 2 | Schedule

Location: Asheville, NC

Field: Alabama, Davidson, Indiana, No. 16 North Carolina, Providence, Stanford, No. 19 Texas, UNLV

The Maui Invitational is always a gem to whet the hoops appetite, and this year’s field is an absolute doozy. In addition to some of the strongest brands in the game — North Carolina, Indiana and Texas — the field also includes teams with star power capable of making noise in 2020. Between Kellan Grady (Davidson), David Duke (Providence), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Garrison Brooks (UNC) and Ziaire Williams (Stanford), this field is loaded with big names primed to set us up for some big games, even if they are not played in Hawaii as usual.

Like I’ve said many a time, 2020 has been a strange year.

Uncategorized

Comma-La Coming To Asheville (Updated)

October 15, 2020 by

I don’t know how I’ve been so privileged but it seems I’m on the Joe Biden for President press release list for North Carolina events. I got this one yesterday announcing Kamala Harris is coming to Asheville today.

Kamala Harris to Travel to North Carolina

On Thursday, October 15, Kamala Harris will travel to Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina on the first day of in-person early voting in the state.
In the morning, Senator Harris will deliver remarks at an early vote launch mobilization event in Asheville, North Carolina.

In the afternoon, Senator Harris will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in a campaign hub grand opening.
 
In the evening, Senator Harris will participate in a voter mobilization event to encourage North Carolinians to make their plan to vote early.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
Details are subject to change
 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Early Vote Launch Mobilization Event with Kamala Harris in Asheville, NC

Start Time: 11:30 AM ET
Pooled Press and Livestreamed

I don’t know why Asheville is being so blessed except that the City Council has voted for reparations and is engaging in a Stalinesque erasure of history to include monuments, statues, and school names. It has been the scene of “mostly peaceful” riots, err, I mean demonstrations downtown.

For the last few years, I’ve been privileged to be on the email press release list of every lefty, progressive, you don’t need an ID to vote, guns are bad, ACB will destroy the Constitution, and we want to turn America into a socialist paradise type of group. I didn’t ask for them and most of the releases are enough to make your eyes roll into the back of your head. But, hey, someone has to get them.

UPDATE: It appears that Kamala will not be gracing Asheville with her presence. The groan you heard was all the sad lefties who were disappointed.

And the reason the event was canceled?

WLOS is reporting that one of her staffers has tested positive for COVID-19.

Just before the Senator was scheduled to land in Asheville, the campaign released the news. According to a press release, late Wednesday night, two individuals involved in the campaign tested positive for COVID-19: a non-staff flight crew member and Liz Allen, communications director to Senator Harris.

“Neither of these people have had contact with Vice President Biden, Senator Harris or any other staffers since testing positive or in the 48 hours prior to their positive test results.”

Senator Harris was not in close contact, as defined by the CDC, with either of these individuals during the two days prior to their positive tests; as such, there is no requirement for quarantine. Regardless, out of an abundance of caution and in line with our campaign’s commitment to the highest levels of precaution, the campaign is canceling Senator Harris’s travel through Sunday, October 18th.

Uncategorized

Sec. Zinke Is Coming To Asheville (Updated)

September 27, 2018 by

I saw this moments ago in The Outdoor Wire. Too bad I won’t be able to attend. I’m guessing Mr. Zinke will be talking about arrests for bear poaching. That is what it usually is.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will host a press conference in Asheville, North Carolina, on Thursday, September 27th to announce the results of a major joint law enforcement operation. Secretary Zinke will be joined by Federal, Tribal, State and local partners. This will be the Secretary’s third trip to the Asheville region since taking office.


WHO:
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke
Federal, Tribal, State, and local partners


WHAT:
A press conference to announce the results of a major law enforcement operation in Indian Country


WHEN:
Thursday, September 27, 2018
9:30 A.M.


WHERE:
Veach Baley Federal Building, 151 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC

UPDATE: Well it wasn’t bear parts but drugs including opoids, Fentenyl, marijuana, meth, and pills. A task force of Federal, state, and tribal officials broke up a number of drug distribution networks on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC. That is the reservation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

From what I’ve been told by a former student, teens are targeted by drug dealers at age 15-16. They want to get them dependent so that they can get their major payout from the trust funds enrolled members receive at age 18. The amount that an 18 year old will receive before taxes is (or was) in the $160,000 range.

The full details on the arrests is found in this news release from the Department of the Interior.

Uncategorized

Volunteers Needed For Asheville Gun Show

March 6, 2017 by

Grass Roots North Carolina sent out an alert this morning saying they need volunteers for the Asheville Gun Show this weekend at the WNC Ag Center. I have volunteered to work on Saturday morning. I try to work the GRNC booth for as many gun shows as I can.

ASHEVILLE GUN SHOW
NEEDS
VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers are needed
to help man the GRNC table at the upcoming MK Shows, in Fletcher, on March 11th and 12th,
2017. The show will be held at the WNC Agricultural Center, located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher, NC
28732.

Help defend Second Amendment freedom and join GRNC in expanding North Carolina gun
rights!

Potential Volunteers
should contact John Hammond by email at johndhammond@msn.com or by phone at 828-699-3117.

I’d love to see some new people volunteering to help. I’ve made some great friends over the years working the booth and have met a lot of nice people at the gun shows.

This is your chance to help out the Second Amendment in North Carolina. While we have a solid pro-gun Republican majority in both houses of the General Assembly, they still have let us down on things like the pistol purchase permit system. When you also factor in that North Carolina has both a governor and attorney general who are not exactly gun friendly, the work that GRNC does in Raleigh becomes critical. We need both members and volunteers if we are to make headway.

Uncategorized

Some Of My Fellow Deplorables

September 12, 2016 by 2 Comments

Donald Trump is speaking in Asheville this evening.

I happened to be at my nearby Lowe’s Home Center which overlooks the Asheville Regional Airport when I noticed a number of people on one end of the parking lot. It turns out they were hoping to see Trump’s plane land. After I finished my shopping I joined them.

There were young deplorables there.

There were old deplorables there.

There were even some of my fellow middle aged deplorables there.

These pictures don’t capture the total number of people that had been there. I’d estimate it was over 50 during the course of an hour. Unfortunately, Trump arrived earlier than expected and most people missed seeing him arrive including me.

I did get to watch Trump’s speech over Livestream. He was introduced by former NYC Mayor Rudy Guilani. He started by having an assortment of folks on stage speak which included both whites and blacks.

The elderly black couple who had a “huge” number of combined years in education said it would be hard for them to be racist and sexist. It was kinda funny. Hillary is going to regret her description of a segment of Trump voters are both “deplorable” and “irredeemable”. They are already coming back to haunt her.

Uncategorized

My, How Times Have Changed!

June 13, 2015 by

The Complementary Spouse and I were enjoying our morning coffee while reading the  weekend Wall Street Journal. She came across an article about the term “grand slam” and how it migrated from the card game bridge to general usage to baseball to other sports. As she was reading it she came across the following paragraph which caused us both to laugh about how times have changed.

The rapid popularity of bridge brought its lingo into common use by the turn of the 20th century, and “grand slam” gained a more general meaning of “a great success.” When Asheville, N.C., easily passed a Prohibition referendum in October 1907, the Winston-Salem Journal referred to it as “the grand slam made by the prohibitionists.”

 What makes this so funny to us now is that Asheville won the title “Beer City USA” in 2010 and 2011. It tied with Portland, Oregon for the title in 2009 and with Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2012. In a poll put on by USA Today and 10Best, it came in as number three on the list of Ten Best Beer Towns. The fourth annual Asheville Beer Week just ended two weeks ago. It is said that beer rivals the Biltmore House as a draw for tourist to the area.

Asheville and adjoining towns are home to at least 28 breweries including the East Coast locations of Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, and Oscar Blues. Sierra Nevada and New Belgium are ranked at number three and four respectively on the Brewers Association list of Top 50 Craft Breweries. We also have two hard cider makers and four craft distilleries in the area. Our local community college even offers an associates degree program in brewing, distillation, and fermentation which has competitive entrance requirements.

The city fathers buried in Riverside Cemetery might be rolling in their graves but the rest of us are enjoying Asheville’s new grand slam just fine.

Uncategorized

And Now You Know The Rest Of The Story

December 2, 2014 by 3 Comments

The late radio broadcaster Paul Harvey used to have a feature called, “The Rest of the Story”. He’d end the feature with the tagline, “And now you know the rest of the story.” I saw the tweet below from Shannon Watts of Everytown Moms for Illegal Mayors yesterday. Just like Al Sharpton demands “Justice!”, Shannon demands “Gunsense!”.

This is not just some Walmart store. This is my Walmart store. The one that is a five minute or less drive from my house. The one at which I buy ammo if it is in stock. In other words, I know the store and I know the gun counter. Both ammo and firearms are kept in a locked case and only certain employees have the key.

The story as reported involved the theft of an AR-15 and 150 rounds of ammunition from the locked case on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The thief purportedly shoved the rifle down his pants and just walked out.

And now for the rest of the story.

Donald Alan Skelton, 33, was arrested on Thursday as he went back to the same Walmart. According to records from the NC Department of Public Safety, Skelton was released from prison in February. His criminal record goes back to at least 2008 and includes convictions for felony breaking and entering and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

For this theft, Skelton was charged with larceny of a firearm, misdemeanor larceny, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held in the Buncombe County Detention Center under an $11,000 bond.

Watts got 28 retweets and 7 favorites from this tweet. How the theft of a firearm by a convicted felon relates to “gunsense” and the call for universal background checks is beyond me.

Uncategorized

A Visit To A Post-Newtown Gun Show

January 6, 2013 by 7 Comments

I had seen reports of record attendance at other gun shows but today I saw for myself. I attended the Asheville Gun and Knife Show held at the WNC Agriculture Center. I was struck by three things at the show: the crowds, the prices, and the level of commitment to fight for gun rights.

First, the crowds. I arrived at the Ag Center just a few minutes after 8am. I was at the show to volunteer at the Grass Roots North Carolina booth. Having volunteered for their booth at the previous gun show, I was shocked at the crowds and by how early people had started lining up. One person told me he got on line at 5:30 this morning after he got off of work!

The picture below is the line-up to get in just before the 9am opening. The line stretched down one lane, across to another, and then up again. When I left at 12:30pm, there was still a decent sized line to get into the gun show!

To put this into more perspective, here is a satellite map of the Ag Center with the red line representing the line to enter at 9am. The small red circle represents the entrance to the Davis Event Center. The building is 300 x 150 feet and has 45,000 square feet of exhibition space.

As you might well imagine, it got crowded inside. At first, it was just the outside perimeter but as time passed every row was filled with people 3 to 4 abreast. You couldn’t zip up and down the rows checking out stuff at your leisure. You pretty much either stopped or moved with the crowd. You can see in the picture below what I’m talking about. I wish I had an overhead picture to show just how crowded it was.

There are probably a number of reasons for the record attendance. First, with all the calls from politicians and the media for greater gun control there is the urge to buy it while you still can. Second, you have people like Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell who are calling for gun shows to be banned in Asheville. While the Ag Center is not city-owned, Bothwell claims the land underneath is owned by the City of Asheville. Unfortunately for him, Session Law 2012-121 (HB 552) forced the City to cede title to the land underneath the Ag Center as well as remove any part of it from being within the city limits. Finally, it was the first gun show of the year and it was nice day.

Bob Owens asked me by Twitter whether they had any “fighting guns” left as he had reported none were available in his town. See Bob’s excellent post on the subject, “Something funny happened on the way to tyrrany.” He would be happy to know that you could find a number of AR-15s, some AKs, and a few odds and ends of other stuff. I noticed a handful of people selling their own ARs as well as stuff like FALs and Mini-14s.

As I said above, you could find AR-15s and AK-47s as well as magazines for them. However, the prices have sky-rocketed due to supply and demand. Plain jane AR-15s were selling for $1,500 and up. If you wanted an AR with all the bells and whistles (optics, rails, laser, bipod, etc.),  one dealer had them for $2,900. AKs had similar price jumps. I saw an AMD-65 which I had just purchased in September new selling for $439 selling for $1,000 used.

Magazine prices were outrageous. Used GI 30-round magazines were selling for $30. Strangely enough, they were selling new ones for the same price. The same dealer had Magpul PMAGs for $40 which were selling a month ago for $12.95. I did see Bulgarian AK-47 magazines for $30. It wasn’t just the dealers who were marking up prices on magazines. I did see one guy go by offering to sell Glock 17 and 22 magazines for $90 for two.

Not all prices were outrageous. I picked up two boxes of Hornady 6.8 SPC ammo for $20 each. Wolf primers were selling for $20 a box. Hunting stuff seemed price like it had been in the past. In terms of private sales,  I spoke with a young man selling his FN-FAL for $900 with scope and bipod which I found to be reasonable. If I didn’t have an FN-FAL and had an extra $900 hanging around, I would have bought it. Another guy had a pre-ban HK-91A1 for $3,500. While that may sound outrageous, it was the going rate before all the assault weapon (sic) ban talk started.

As I wrote earlier, I was volunteering for the Grass Roots North Carolina booth as I had at the last gun show. The difference was amazing even though the previous one had been just before the election. We signed up at least 10 new members by noon as compared to none the last time I was there. Secondly, people were very happy to sign GRNC’s petition to the North Carolina congressional delegation telling them they didn’t want any new gun control. We had 300 printed up and I’d estimate we had close to 250 signed by the time I left at noon. Those signing the petition were young and old, men and women, white and non-white. I spoke with people with nose rings and old men with canes. They were all similarly committed in their opposition to any new gun control.

Speaking with the people who stopped by the booth, I could tell they were ready to fight. I doubt any of them would voluntarily surrender their guns, magazines, or ammunition. Moreover, speaking with a former Force Recon Marine, he said he didn’t know any of his former colleagues who would enforce an order to confiscate firearms. He said they would rightfully consider it an unlawful order.

It was a good gun show except for the high prices on some things. However, I understand the laws of supply and demand. Moreover, the dealers selling now will have a hard time replenishing their stock for the next show. There will be a gun show in Waynesville at the end of the month. I may try to make that one just for comparison’s sake.

UPDATE: The gun show was covered by the local media.

Below is the video report from WSPA of Spartanburg, SC on the Asheville Gun and Knife Show. There were a lot of visitors from the Upstate of South Carolina at the show.

Reporters from the Asheville Citizen-Times also covered the show. Below is a video that they shot at the show which gives a good idea of how crowded it was. I love the comments by Phil Flack of PF Custom Guns regarding the so-called “gun show loophole.” You can read more of the story here which, unfortunately, goes overboard on “fairness” by soliciting comments from the gun prohibitionists.

Uncategorized

HuffPo Isn’t Totally Worthless

August 16, 2012 by 3 Comments

While I may think that Arianna Huffington is a parasite whose political leanings change with the wind and that her Huffington Post is usually full of tripe, it does have its uses. For example, in a story about a local Tea Party group, I found out that they are having a machine gun social.

I have shot at Bear Arms a number of times and it is a really nice range. Moreover, the prices for shooting the MP5 are cheaper than a lot of places that I’ve been. Sadly, I won’t be able to attend it as I’ll be at the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Orlando on that day.

It is instructive to read the comments. For people who profess peace and love and gun control, they are amazingly violent in their thoughts and rhetoric.

From Sushigirl:

Oh how quaint. I have an idea, blindfold all of them and let them shoot away.
Actually I don’t mean that, I don’t want anyone to be hurt. But how stupid can these people be. Disgusting.

From FredSanders who has 1910 fans which must mean he comments a lot:

I hope they all blow themselves away defending each other from each other.

 From Cacey with the tagline “ignore rudeness, honor discussion”:

How boring is Asheville if this is the best fund raiser they came up with. A boring event for obviously boorish people.

You get the idea. I’m glad Cacey thinks Asheville is boring because it will mean one less tourist clogging the streets with their Obama bumpersticker-covered Priuses.