Good FREE news for those suffering from the heat: Eblen-Kimmel Charities in Asheville are giving away fans at its office at 50 Westgate Parkway in Asheville. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For details of the giveaway, call them at 828-255-3066.

The Buncombe County Council on Aging is also providing free fans to people over the age of 60, or those under 60 who have a disability. Their number: 828-277-8288.

Sale dates: August 6 -8, 2010.

Deadline for registering and printing price tags is 2 p.m. on August 1.

This event is near and dear to my “on the cheap” heart. A great way to get some cash for your items (you keep 70% of the prices you set) as well as to get new gear for back to school.

The concerts take place at 7 p.m.  Signs point to the area for chairs and the other area to spread out blankets. All performances are free, with the exception of the Folkmoot ticketed performances.

This year’s Concert on the Quad series kicks off Monday, June 14, 2010 with Cool John Ferguson (blues, gospel and funk).

June 21: ELM. Collective—World music, jazz and fusion
 
June 28: Pan Jive—Energetic, genre-defying steel drums
 
July 5: April Verch—Traditional roots, fiddle and step-dancing
 
July 12: One Leg Up—Gypsy jazz
 
July 24–25—The 27th annual Folkmoot USA festival, the only ticketed event of the series, will feature folk dance and music from around the world. Folkmoot tickets range from $10-$25 and are available online at www.folkmootusa.org or by phone at 877/FOLKUSA.

If you buy a copy of The One That I Want in the next 24 hours and email Allison with a copy of the receipt (scanned or forwarded) to allisonwscotch@gmail.com, she will send you a copy of her previous book, Time Of My Life.

Take advantage.  Her books are must reads!

Plastic sleds are required. Folks are encouraged to bring their own sleds, or they may be purchased at stores on the mountain.

The sledding hill is operated by the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation Department. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather permitting) with safety
personnel on duty. A loud speaker plays music and hot chocolate is available at nearby restaurants.

Parking and restrooms are provided by the chamber. People are encouraged to call the chamber at (800) 468-5506 to receive live updates on sledding conditions.

Additional info on the Beech Mountain sledding hill is available at: www.beechmtn.com.

Now, for the deal. Horizons Dining Room is offering a 20% discount on Mondays and Wednesdays to local WNC residents who live in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania counties.  The cities and surrounding areas included are Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Waynesville, Clyde, Maggie Valley and Brevard.

A valid N.C. driver’s license is required to get the “friends” discount. Holidays are not included.

Buy online tickets HERE

The participating restaurants in the 2010 Main Course Dining Guide are:
~ Blue Ridge Dining Room
~ Bouchon
~ Burgermeister’s Kitchen & Tap
~ City Bakery
~ Corner Kitchen
~ Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou Bar-B-Que
~ fig
~ Fiores Ristorante Toscana
~ Frankie Bones
~ Grovewood Cafe
~ Horizons
~ Laughing Seed
~ Mela Indian Restaurant
~ Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe
~ Savoy
~ Sunset Terrace
~ Vincenzo’s
~ Westville Pub

While ALL of these are great places, I have some personal recommendations: Blue Ridge Dining, Horizons and the Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn offer exceptional food and service. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Always exquisite.

I love Burgermeister’s — food and atmosphere. It’s just a fun place.

Also, I have some great friends who have created stunning restaurants:

High school pal Kevin Westmoreland owns Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village and he always gets rave reviews. Another high school friend, Sandy Waldrop and her husband, Larry, own Grovewood Cafe. And, my former WLOS co-worker, and good friend,  Tommy Tsiros gets great applause for his Pomodoros Cafe. The food is consistently wonderful at all of these places!

Now I can turn my attention back to this blog. It will be back in full force by the beginning of 2010!