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

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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.

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 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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Josh Blake and the Big Money Band will be playing the Emerald Lounge on Friday December 11 at 9:00 PM. 

Hey friends! I wanted to let you know about our show coming up.....The Big $ Band and I are stoked as always to be playing with our good friends Pierce Edens and the Dirty Work to kick off the X-mas Jam weekend at The Emerald Lounge on Friday, Dec 11th.... I'm sure we will also see some very special guests......thanks for checkin out this invite.....we hope to see you there!...peace....Josh Blake

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Suit up for a rollicking good time Thursday, December 10 at 9PM, when Erika Jane and Remember The Bees perform along with Open Windows at Jack of the Woods.

Put your shoes on and get on down to JOTW for what’s set to be an incredible night showcasing two of Asheville’s up and coming bands!

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If you're looking for something to do on a Tuesday Evening, look no further than the Bobo Gallery on Lexington Avenue.  On Tuesday, December 8, the Bobo Gallery will be hosting 2 Cellos! 2 Fellows! 2 Guitars! 2 Gals! at 8:00 PM.

This Tuesday evening at Bobo Gallery, a super-fancy, cello-heavy double bill: soulful R&B sexmachine Jim Seem with cellist Melissa Hyman, AND magnificent poetess-songstress Chelsea Lynn Labate with cellist Tommy Hunt. Whoa.

Come join us for an evening of music that's sure to melt your heart (and if you'll pardon my saying so, possibly your panties). Bring all your cello-lovin' friends, too!

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OK, this one isn't related to any live events or downtown happenings like most of the posts on this page, but I'm just so excited I had to post it anyway.

 I've had an iPhone for over a year now, and during that time I've grown... let's say disgruntled... at AT&T due to their weak service in the Asheville area.  I have been pretty PO'ed for a while now at the fact that I've been paying for a crappy and practically unusable data plan, while users in Charlotte are paying the SAME AMOUNT per month for 3G.  I've repeatedly called AT&T to try to get an answer as to 1) why my plan costs the same as a 3G plan and 2) when 3G will be coming to Asheville, but the answers have always consisted of script-reading or stonewalling.

Well it took a long time and a full-frontal assault by Verizon (via the "Map for That" campaign), but AT&T has FINALLY turned on 3G in Asheville!  I haven't roamed around the city limits to determine the extents of the 3G coverage, but I get excellent 3G reception downtown and in West Asheville, where I live.  I've also heard reports that 3G coverage is pretty thorough throughout Asheville.

So let me finally say (for perhaps the first time): AT&T, good on ya!

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Warren Haynes' Xmas Jam continues on December 11 with a daytime jam with DJ Logic vs. Thunderdrums.

As part of the daytime portion of Warren Haynes Xmas Jam, Thunderdrums will be performing alongside DJ Logic at Stella Blue at 4P - the show starts at 1P and tickets are $10 at the door with all proceeds going to Habitat For Humanity as part of Warren's ongoing work with this great organization.

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