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Category Archives: Asheville Attractions

Annual toy run gives to local children

In the spirit of giving back, more than 100 bikers took the spirit of Christmas to dozens of children Saturday.

Even though the weather may have deterred some from riding their motorcycles, the Dixie Thunder-Aiken of ABATE of South Carolina braved the dreary weather and held its annual Toy Run benefiting Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a nonprofit providing shelter and more to abused or neglected children.

US veteran detained in N. Korea on his way home – Asheville Citizen

An 85-year-old U.S. tourist and war veteran flew to freedom Saturday aboard a San Francisco-bound flight after being deported by North Korea.

Merrill Newman was detained in Pyongyang for more than a month for alleged “hostile acts” against the isolated and authoritarian North East Asian state.

Moments after landing in California, Newman looked delighted yet tired as he thanked Swedish and American embassies for their efforts to get him back to the United States.

“I’m delighted to be home,” said Newman as he stood alongside his wife and son. “It’s been a great homecoming. I’m tired but I’m ready to be with my family now. Thank you all for the support we got. I very much appreciate it.”

Newman didn’t take questions from a crowd of reporters gathered at the airport and quickly walked off holding his wife’s hand.

Earlier in Beijing, Newman told reporters that he was happy to be returning home to Palo Alto, Calif., after being pulled from a plane leaving Pyongyang on Oct. 26 by North Korean forces.

“I’m very glad to be on my way home,” Newman said. “I appreciate the tolerance the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) government has given to me to be on my way. I feel

Article source: http://www.citizen-times.com/usatoday/article/3901779 If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Going Out for Dec. 6

Movies

Co-ed Cinema, 79 W. Main St., Brevard, 883-2200. Showing through Thursday: “Catching Fire,” rated PG-13. Showing: 12:30, 4, 7:30 p.m. Info: www.coedcinema.com.

Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, 697-2463. All tickets $7.50. Showing through Thursday: “Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” rated PG-13, Showing daily: 3:15, 7 p.m. Info: www.flatrockcinema.com.

Epic Theatres of Hendersonville, 200 Thompson St. Shows through Thursday: “The Book Thief,” rated PG-13; “Catching Fire,” rated PG-13; “Delivery Man,” rated PG-13; “Frozen,” rated PG; “Hobbit” narathon 3-D rated PG-13; “Homefront,” rated R; “Last Vegas,” rated PG-13; “Out of Furnace,” rated R; “Philomena,” rated PG-13; “Thor: The Dark World” rated PG-13. Call theater for showtmes. Info: 693-1146.

Events

Arts and crafts show, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. today and Saturday at the Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Blvd. Info: 684-8987.

‘Tis the Season holiday fair, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday at WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher. $5 per person. Info: 606-7097.

Holiday open house, 5-8 p.m. at the Visitors Center, 201 S. Main St., Hendersonville. Info: 693-9708.

Santa Under the Sea, 6-9:30 p.m. today and 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium, 511 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Info: 692-8386.

“Ye Old Christmas Gathering at the People’s House,” 5-7 p.m. tonight at

Article source: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20131206/ARTICLES/312061003/1042/news?Title=Going-Out-for-Dec-6 If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Why Can’t Politicians Hold Their Drinks?

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is swarmed by media at City Hall after City Council striped him of emergency management powers on November 15, 2013 in Toronto, Canada.(Aaron Vincent Elkaim/Getty Images)

Why does it seem politicians can’t hold their drink?

Alcohol is often associated with DUIs and sex scandals. Crack-smoking Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s recent “drunken stupor” is just the latest and perhaps most bizarre in a long line of politician brushes with alcoholism.

New York Congressman Vito Fossella saw his career go down the tubes after a DUI in 2008. Former Go Daddy lawyer and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Christine Jones picked up a DUI in 2004, and pundits have said this will likely hurt her 2014 chances.

But DUIs do not always equal the end of political careers. Still in office, Idaho U.S. Senator Michael Crapo registered a blood alcohol content of .11 percent in his DUI last year. If Crapo were a schoolteacher, construction worker, or bus driver, he’d have lost his job.

After being accused of severe crimes, politicians have often blamed alcohol.

In 1980, Congressman Robert Bauman admitted to being an alcoholic after pleading “not guilty”

Article source: http://www.parade.com/238703/fredminnick/why-cant-politicians-hold-their-drinks/ If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Christmas on the estate: 6 grand houses

George Washington Vanderbilt hosted a Christmas Eve bash back in 1895, when his 135,000-square-foot home was completed. Candlelight visits are available to visitors who want a taste of that evening.George Washington Vanderbilt hosted a Christmas Eve bash back in 1895, when his 135,000-square-foot home was completed. Candlelight visits are available to visitors who want a taste of that evening.

Article source: http://www.bayoubuzz.com/top-stories/item/562247-christmas-on-the-estate-6-grand-houses If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Shop local on Saturday during A Holly Day

Let the local shopping festivities commence with the annual A Holly Day in downtown Aiken.

In-store promotions, entertainment, refreshments and door prizes will all be a part of the downtown experience for residents and visitors on Saturday.

Lights, trees, gingerbread: Holiday events

NEW YORK (AP) — Lights, trees, gingerbread and the Grinch are among the Christmastime attractions on display around the country. Here are some details.

New York City’s holiday traditions include the tree at Rockefeller Center, the Radio City “Christmas Spectacular” show, origami decorations on the tree at the American Museum of Natural History, the Neapolitan Baroque creche and tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and of course windows decorated with Christmas themes in stores around the city.

In the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden hosts its annual train show, with model trains winding around miniature replicas of New York landmarks made from plant materials like bark, leaves and nuts. At Grand Central Terminal, there are real trains, along with a light show each evening through Dec. 26 from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. And at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, an interactive exhibit called “The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop” is up through Dec. 31, along with a synthetic ice rink where kids can skate in their socks.

In Florida, Universal Orlando offers the “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular” show and re-enactments of New York’s Macy’s parade with balloons and costumed

Article source: http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Lights-trees-gingerbread-Holiday-events-5038913.php If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com