Posted by: Asheville Live in Events on
Feb 3, 2010
Bluegrass Music Jam
Thu. Feb 04, 10
Marion, NC
Celtic Adventures
Fri. Feb 05, 10 - Sun. Feb 07, 10
Asheville, NC
Old Fort Mountain Music
Fri. Feb 05, 10
Old Fort, NC
FENCE Hunter Pace
Sun. Feb 07, 10
Tryon, NC
Well, here comes the snow again. Schools dismissed early, everyone around me has left and you can bet the grocery stores are packed and running out of milk and bread.
Hopefully, my power will stay on this time....
Right now it is pretty foggy, so there isn't much to see when the cameras zoom, but you can see the flakes fall when it is zoomed all the way out. The fog should clear up once it really gets underway, so keep checking back for better views.
Just a quick note to say that since we've moved the video streaming host offsite , we've had to change the Flash file that served up the video. To make things easy, we changed the way it looks, too. If you can't see any video, check to see if you're looking at the old file or the new file. Your browser can cache the file so it doesn't have to download it again. The new file looks like this:
The old one looks like this:
If you're seeing the blue and white file with no video, then you need to clear your browser's cache to get the new one. How you do this depends on your browser, but you can follow this link to figure it out:
http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cache
It's VERY IMPORTANT that you do not have AshevilleLiveCam.com open in a browser window or tab when you are clearing your cache. Your browser will not clear the cached files from sites that it is currently displaying.
It happens all the time. Something is happening downtown, word gets out and AshevilleLiveCam.com gets flooded with viewers attempting to get the low-down and see it for themselves. Inevitably, when that has happened, the video feeds would slow to a crawl as all the streams jockeyed for position, with some being left out in the cold without any video at all.
Rest assured, we have heard your laments and we have taken action! Streaming multiple live feeds to the internet is no easy task, and it is not inexpensive. Over the years, we've done everything we could to make the site more enjoyable and more reliable. I'm working on a post describing the long history of this site, in all its incarnations. Interesting reading for sure, but not very relevant here. What is relevant is the latest step we have taken to make sure every person who wants to see the live views can do so.
The real problem was lack of bandwidth. Even though we have a pretty good connection to the internet by Asheville standards, during high-traffic periods, it would simply be overwhelmed. A while back, we moved the website itself off of our own servers onto the internet "cloud" to make it more reliable, but we were still serving the internet streams from our own data center located on the top floor of the BB&T building. We resisted offloading the video streams to an external host for many reasons, price being the biggest factor.
However, a new day has dawned for AshevilleLiveCam.com as we have finally set up a streaming server on an external host, in the hopes that we can provide a better viewing experience for all our visitors, be they locals or out-of-towners. Just in time for the next batch of snow! So to all our loyal AshevilleLiveCam viewers, ENJOY!
P.S. - That's not the only change afoot. We're also working on an all new site design (the header image above is a little preview for you) and on bigger, better video streams including the return of everyone's favorite SkyCam! Keep an eye out in the next few weeks for big changes.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Snow Day, Site News on
Dec 18, 2009
A new high water mark has been set for the site traffic! On Friday December 18, when the snow started pounding us, AshevilleLiveCam.com more than doubled our previous record for traffic in a single day! I had expected a spike in traffic, but this blew me away. As always, AshevilleLiveCam.com thanks you all for your support. We had visitors from 57 different countries, from Canada, Germany and the UK to Australia and New Zealand.
I would have liked to have made some updates to the site over the weekend, with pics and such, but unfortunately yours truly was one of the 67,000 or so without power and completely snowed in. It was a crazy weekend, and I still count myself as part of that ever-dwindling number, as I still have no power. Hopefully it will be restored today and I and my dogs can move back in to my own home-sweet-home.
Above is a pic from my place, and some more are below.
Above: My car.
Above: first time I've ever used this fireplace, for now my only source of heat.
Above: fun in the snow
The Vanderbilt Black-Tie Gala Package, The Dining Room Package, and The Bistro Package Include:
- Guest room accommodations
- Chef's breakfast buffet daily in The Dining Room
- Access to the Library Lounge with live entertainment starting at 9:00pm
- Party favors
- Champagne toast at midnight
- Midnight fireworks (weather permitting)
- Estate daytime admission valid for the length of stay
- Daytime Audio Guide to Biltmore House
- Gratuities for valet, bellmen, housekeeping, and packaged meals
- Valet parking at the inn
- Complimentary estate shuttle service
Vanderbilt Black-Tie Gala Package
Also Includes:
- Reception with open premium bar
- Five-course dinner with wine pairings
- Live entertainment
- Private post reception after midnight
Two-night package starts at $2,140 in a Grand King room, based on double occupancy.
The Dining Room New Year's Eve Package
Also Includes:
- Four-course a la carte dinner in The Dining Room
- Desserts and Coffee served from 9:00p.m.–12:00 Midnight in the Library Lounge
Two-night package starts at $1,518 in a deluxe room, based on double occupancy.
The Bistro New Year's Eve Package
Also Includes:
- Three-course a la carte dinner at the Bistro
- Desserts and Coffee served from 9:00p.m.–12:00 Midnight in the Library Lounge
Two-night package starts at $1,398 in a deluxe room, based on double occupancy.
Make reservations by calling 800-411-3812
Package pricing is subject to availability and depends upon length of stay, room type, and number of guests in your party. Taxes not included.
Pricing not applicable to groups. For groups of 20 or more, call 800-211-9805 or e-mail group sales.
The cams are still a bit blurry this morning with all the fog, but that should clear up later this morning. Even with the fog, though, we are being treated to some wonderful scenery as the first of an expected 2 days of snow falls over Asheville.
Snow days are always huge days for AshevilleLiveCam.com's web traffic, as native Ashevillians, expatriots and fans check in from all over the world to see the mountains and the downtown area blanketed in white. So if you're trying to see the cams and can't get them to come up, just keep trying (refresh the page). Eventually you'll get through, and it will be well worth it.
While you're here, it wouldn't hurt to have a look at some of our sponsors and help us pay for the bandwidth, so be sure to have a look around the site and click some links.
HAPPY SNOW DAY!
Last week Buncombe County got some bad news about Volvo Construction Equipment's plan to close its manufacturing facility, impacting 228 jobs.
Today, we learn of two new companies coming to Western North Carolina, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Marves Industries. Thermo Fisher Scientific will be locating to Buncombe County and Marves Industries will be located in Burke County.
Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Thermo Fisher Scientific , a world leader in laboratory equipment and services, will expand its operations in Buncombe County. The company will create 104 jobs and invest nearly $5 million during the next three years at its site in Asheville. The announcement was made possible in part by a $208,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Marves Industries , an international producer of nonwoven textile cushioning and insulator pads for use in mattresses headquartered in Mexico, will open a new North American facility in Burke County. The company will invest $1.75 million and create 66 jobs in Hildebran. The announcement was made possible by a $200,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Events on
Dec 8, 2009
This Christmas Eve, saddle up and head to Black Mountain for an all-ages concert at the White Horse. Don't forget to bring your Christmas spirit!
WHITE HORSE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
The White Horse in Black Mountain is offering a Christmas Eve Show, free to the community, on Thursday, December 24th from 6 - 8pm.
This all-ages concert promises to be a memorable one, featuring the debut of "The Wilderness Act", an exciting new folk-duo with ancient celtic influence and powerful presentation. Bob Hinkle and Kimberly Hughes, co-owners of the White Horse, will also perform.
Lance and Carissa Moore, "The Wilderness Act", are offering this concert as a gift to the area community.
"We really appreciate the White Horse for welcoming us and opening the doors on Christmas Eve. It is rare that songwriters can debut in a venue of this caliber and present new music to unassuming ears. It will be a bit mysterious for the audience. I expect a very magical night." Lance Moore - Guitarist/Vocalist "THE WILDERNESS ACT" describes their show (in their own words) as:
"guitar . hammer dulcimer . voices . piano . original . ancient . Celtic . spirited . mystery . harmony . love . hope . humor . peace . passion . intensity . interested?"
The White Horse is located in downtown Black Mountain at:
105C Montreat Rd.
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone: 828-669-0816
Posted by: Asheville Live in Untagged on
Dec 7, 2009
Asheville on Bikes hosts the Bright Light Biker, a community ride throughout downtown Asheville designed to highlight all aspects of the cycling community. AoB’s featured guest is the Simon’s family. The ride is family friendly, the tone is one of celebration and unity.
The Bright Light Biker, featuring the Simons Family
Saturday, Dec. 12th
3:30pm – Gather @ Pack Square Park by City County Plaza
4:00pm – Pedal w/ pride throughout our downtown Streets.
5:00pm – Culminate the celebration @ Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Ave.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Untagged on
Dec 7, 2009
The Unitarian Universalist Church will be holding a memorial service to honor and remember the homeless Ashevillians that lost their lives this year. The service will be held Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM.
Join us to recognize and honor those who died in Asheville this year while homeless. This ecumenical service will celebrate the lives of eleven members of our community.
Let's renew our commitment to eliminating chronic homelessness in Asheville in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Untagged on
Dec 7, 2009
The Orange Peel will be hosting Toubab Krewe for 2 nights, starting on December 30 and continuing the next night for a New Year's Eve bash!
Blending American and West African influences into a sound all its own, Toubab Krewe has set "a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and West African music" (Afropop Worldwide).
Since forming in 2005, the magnetic instrumental quintet has won a diverse and devoted following at performances everywhere from Bonnaroo to the legendary Festival of the Desert in Essakane, Mali, the most remote festival in the world. The band developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with luminaries.
But the group has its roots in Asheville, NC, where many of its members were childhood friends and long-term musical collaborators. It was at home in the Appalachians, where the band recorded their sophomore album, Live at the Orange Peel. Produced by Grammy winning producer Steven Heller (who also produced the band's debut), the new album captures their outstanding 2008 New Year's run.
All of the songs are previously unreleased and continue to mix American rock with the West African musical traditions the band fell in love with on their travels. Along the way, they explore the worlds of surf and zydeco, fusing it all together into what the Village Voice describes as "a futuristic, psychedelic, neo-griot frenzy" and Honest Tune hails as "one of the most innovative voices in music today." The new release features collaborations with legendary spoken word artist Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets and fiddler Rayna Gellert of Uncle Earl.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Events on
Dec 6, 2009
Highland Brewing Company and Barley's Taproom will both be celebrating their 15th anniversaries at Highland's facility on Old Charlotte Highway.
Celebrating 15 years as Asheville’s first and most successful brewery, Highland Brewing Company announces the release of its latest seasonal, “Auld Asheville Vintage Ale.” Oscar Wong, founder and President of Highland, indicated that the name and label pays homage to the Scots Irish heritage of Highland’s mountain home. It is a style made famous by British brewers with their holiday offerings of old ales.
Highland will host an Auld Asheville Vintage Ale open house kickoff party at its facility at 12 Old Charlotte Highway on December 18th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Live entertainment provided by Asheville’s very own "Funknastics" band, with food by Barley’s Tap Room and Pizzaria. Barley’s is also celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Jimmy Rentz, owner of Barley’s and one of Highland’s original supporters, said “We are pleased to join Highland is celebrating both our 15th anniversaries. Highland set the standard for all the craft brewers who have followed them in Asheville. We’d like to think that Barley’s has also set a great standard in town by offering the best Craft beer selection in the region, including Highland beers.”
Auld Asheville Vintage Ale will be available in 22 OZ bottles and on draught in local restaurants and retail outlets beginning December 20th.
Posted by: Asheville Live in Untagged on
Dec 6, 2009
Faerie Made will be holding an Open Studio Sale on Sunday, December 13 from 1 - 6PM at their studio on Oakwood St. in Asheville.
Come to our Second Annual Open Soap Studio Sale!
Great opportunity to pick up amazing gifts for the holiday season:
Natural handmade soaps, body care, and botanical perfumes ..
Light appetizers, great time and awesome discounts for everyone!
