Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around:
-Asheville musician’s home in West Africa demolished: Last week, Asheville Grit posted the story of Adama Dembele, a musician from Ivory Coast, West Africa, who lives in Asheville and whose home in Abobo was recently demolished. The Dembele home and music center has been a link between Ashevillle musicians and West Africa for over a decade, including members of Zansa and Toubab Krewe. From the story:
On January 12, 2015, the Ivory Coast government demolished his home and many others in Abobo, Ivory Coast, a city of 1.5 million people. The reason given for this demolition was that the ground was eroding and unsafe, a fact that is common in this part of the country with very little infrastructure. But hundreds of people were pushed out of their homes with one week’s notice and given no temporary housing, shelter, or monetary compensation. Many families and children are now living on the streets. Government officials have told people that “they are on a list,” but haven’t said where or when they will rebuild their homes, or even if they will rebuild. … To help raise funds for the Dembele family to rebuild their home and music center, a Soumu is being held in Asheville on February 19, which is a celebration of West African music, dance, food, and culture.
-List for the day: Conde Nast has Asheville on its list of America’s Best Beer Cities as Chosen by Beer Experts.
-Monday deal: Pabstville tweets: “Monday’s mean that @desotolounge has the pinball machines set to free play and the #PBR cans are on special! #TILT ”
-Asheville restaurant for sale: Here’s the description from National Restaurant Properties:
This is the premier location in the Central Business District, located close to the new hotels and all downtown attractions . The restaurant has it all, great name recognition, high revenues, and plenty of parking nearby. The heavy foot traffic and natural ambiance of the business makes the restaurant popular with tourist and locals alike. The kitchen has a “like new” equipment package and the layout will support the existing concept or any conversion a buyer may want. A nice bar and seating for one hundred makes the turnkey restaurant the perfect size while still feeling open
-Asheville history tidbit of the day: Here’s a program to consider:
The Rise & Fall of Sulphur SpringsSaturday, January 24 at 1:30pmMalvern Hills Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina
-Asheville Climate Collider in the running: The Asheville Climate Collider is in the running to be honored as a North Carolina Space for Innovation and spotlighted by the Institute for Emerging Issues during a February conference. More about the Collider:
The development of a 26,000 sq. ft. entrepreneur center two blocks from NCDC will provide the space, support and resources the industry needs to grow. The Callen Center, the private component, will be a Gold LEED office hub, and The Collider, the nonprofit engine at the core of the collaboration, will provide the strategic support through B2B networking events, resources and workshops.
The project includes 11,000 sq. ft. of leasable office space, a technology theatre, conference rooms, lounges and coworking. Key partners in public, private and institutional economic development sectors are joining resources to maximize the potential. The site opens Fall 2015.
