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Townsend joins Lightning as reporter

Hendersonville Business

Pardee finances remain strong in FY'17

Pardee Hospital continues to show strong gains in its financial performance this year over last year’s numbers, the Board of Directors was told.   Read Story »

Flat Rock Business

Flat Rock gallery to 'expose' 20 artists

They generally toil behind closed doors, safely out of view, in tucked away studios near and far. But over 20 local artists have been coaxed into the spotlight for one special weekend get-together from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at The Gallery at Flat Rock. Reversing the idea of an “open studio tour,” the gallery will gather everyone together in one convenient spot for a lively informal two-day event which will include numerous demonstrations and some hands-on participation. Most will be bringing along additional work for display and sale. If you’ve ever wondered about the talented artists behind the fine art that graces our gallery walls and pedestals – the painters, the sculptors, the jewelers, weavers and clay shapers – now is your chance to meet the makers, ask questions, and discover who they are and how they do what they do so well. For a full schedule of the artists appearing each day, please visit the gallery website at www.galleryflatrock.com or call the gallery at 828-698-7000. “Artists Exposed” is free and open to the public. In addition to the “Artists Exposed” weekend event, jewelry makers Molly Sharp and David Voorhees will be exhibiting their collaborative designs known as “Silveramics” during the monthly Gallery Hop from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday evening, June 16. The Gallery at Flat Rock represents finely curated art and craft, and is located in Flat Rock Square at 2702-A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sundays Noon to 4:00 pm; or by appointment.   Read Story »

Mills River Business

German manufacturer praises city water

MILLS RIVER — The quality of Mills River water was a big factor when a German company chose a 15-acre field on School House Road for its first American manufacturing plant, the company’s president said.   Read Story »

Henderson County Business

'Brunch bill' allows booze on Sunday morning

RALEIGH — No discussion. No debate. No drama. A lopsided vote. A couple of hours after slipping through a skeptical Senate Rules Committee, Senate Bill 155, aka the brunch bill, breezed through the full Senate Thursday by a 32-13 vote. Republicans were split, 22-12, and those divisions became apparent, mainly during a Wednesday meeting of the Senate’s Finance Committee and to a lesser extent at the Thursday Rules session. If the House concurs with the Senate and the bill becomes law, North Carolina distillers will be able to sell five bottles per customer annually to patrons who take a distillery tour. The current annual limit is one bottle. Distilleries will be able to hold tastings at festivals, trade shows, and conventions that allow alcohol tastings. Restaurants and retail outlets also will be able to serve and sell alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. Sundays rather than at noon with the approval of local governing bodies. This will put North Carolina evem with 47 other states that allow alcohol to be served Sundays before noon, noted Sen. Rick Gunn, R-Alamance, the bill’s chief sponsor. The five-bottle provision would take effect July 1, if the bill becomes law by then. Taylor Howard, co-owner of H & H Distillery in Asheville, says the five-bottle law will help distilleries the most of any part of the bill. It would bring more people in more often, making the distillery more like a brewpub. “It’s not that we’re not trying to not support ABC stores, but being able to push our products out of the distillery would be a huge aspect for growth,” he said. The major objection among Rules members came from Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph. He scoffed at a provision in the bill charging a $750 per-event fee to auctioneers marketing beer, wines, and spirits — primarily aimed at auctions of high-dollar vintage merchandise or from estates. The events happen rarely. Legislative staff estimated the provision would raise a mere $3,000 a year, but said business might improve if they could include vintage spirits and other rare alcoholic beverages. The Rev. Mark Creech of the Christian Action League implored the committee to reject the bill on religious grounds, giving a speech much like the one he delivered at the Finance meeting. Scott Maitland, proprietor of Top of the Hill Distillers in Chapel Hill, owner of the popular Top of the Hill Restaurant, and president of the N.C. Distillers Association, told the committee the law would make a huge impact on distilleries. The five-bottle rule would make a big difference at his business and allowing alcohol sales before noon on Sundays would boost his restaurant’s business (and its ability to employ people) dramatically, Maitland said. The committee approved the bill by voice vote in what appeared to be a narrow margin. But when the bill reached the Senate floor, it passed quickly without any discussion or debate.   Read Story »

Henderson County Business

AVL adds nonstop to Vero Beach

Elite Airways, an airline brand new to our region, landed for the first time at Asheville Regional Airport from Vero Beach Regional Airport in Florida on Thursday morning, May 25. The flight was welcomed by a water cannon arch, a tradition in aviation used to commemorate special occasions. Once the plane taxied through the water arch and parked at the gate, AVL officials welcomed leaders from Vero Beach and Elite Airways to mark the day with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the airfield, with the Elite Airways jet nearby. "I am so pleased to welcome our new friends from Elite Airways and Vero Beach to our mountains," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., AVL executive director. "It's great to see this beautiful Bombardier CRJ-200 at the gate, ready to take passengers straight to Vero Beach. There are strong connections between our two communities, and I anticipate that the route between the mountains and the Treasure Coast will be embraced. I look forward to a long relationship, and to making a trip soon on Elite Airways." "Today marks the start of nonstop jet service between Vero Beach, Florida and Asheville, North Carolina — two very popular destinations for arts, culture, music, and R&R," said John Pearsall, president of Elite Airways. "We have high expectations for this route, and thank city and airport officials for their support." The new service will provide the tenth nonstop destination available to regional travelers from AVL, with twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. For more information about flights, or to book a trip, visit EliteAirways.com. .   Read Story »

Hendersonville Business

Publix close to breaking ground

The developer building a new Publix has assured city officials that it’s close to breaking ground on the grocery chain’s first store in Hendersonville.   Read Story »

Henderson County Business

Walk, bike or bus — don't drive — to Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is encouraging people to come on foot or by bike, carpool or bus for a brew and a conversation about the future of multi-modal connectivity across Henderson County during a Brewery or Bust event as part of Strive Not to Drive this week. The Sierra Nevada event is 5:30-8:30 p.m. today. Options include: BUS - Catch a bus at 5:30 p.m., provided by The Trolley Company. Meet and park at the lower parking lot of the Henderson County Courthouse on East 4th Ave., across from the old Grey Hosiery Mill. The bus will return at 8pm, and on the way will drop off any cyclists who do not wish to make the return night ride. BIKE - Bike a roughly 12-mile route, taking backroads to the brewery. Nobody gets dropped! Meet at Bold Rock Cidery at 5 p.m. to roll out. Limited bus seats and cargo space will be available to those uncomfortable biking back by dusk, but bring a headlight and tailight and be prepared. WALK - A roughly half-mile hike along the emerging trail system on Sierra Nevada's property will meet at 6pm in lower parking lot “6 Row," located off of Old Fanning Bridge road near the roundabout. CARPOOL - Work out a carpool plan with a friend, or try www.ShareTheRideNC.org - putting in your home and Sierra Nevada's address (100 Sierra Nevada Way, Fletcher, NC) to find a shared ride to the event. The Sierra Nevada brewery event is one of several promotions this week to encourage options other than driving. On Thursday, Rhythm and Brews is offering FREE BIKE VALET PARKING. The concert, featuring the Get Right Band, is the first of the summer series. An Apple Country Public Transit bus will be on hand to teach riders how to use the bus bike rack and get answers on using  the system. Friday, May 19, is National Bike to Work Day. Click here for a full list of events.        Read Story »

Henderson County Business

Kanuga offers 'Dirty Dancing' package

Kanuga Conference Center is offering a "Dirty Dancing" package in August to celebrate the filming of the made-for-TV remake of the 1987 hit. The remake, airing at 8 p.m. on May 24 on ABC, was filmed at the historic Kanuga property and at other locations in the North Carolina mountains in the spring of 2016. Kanuga’s secluded setting and rustic surroundings provided a lush backdrop for the storyline set in the 1960s. Several iconic scenes were filmed there, including the conga line from the beginning of the movie and Baby’s famous watermelon scene. Johnny’s cabin scenes were filmed at the Fox Pavilion at Camp Kanuga, while the Fox Cottage on the main campus was repurposed as the Kellerman’s cabin. “We hope the movie provides a chance for viewers to fall in love again with Western North Carolina’s beauty,” Kanuga president Michael R. Sullivan said in a news release. “While the movie is a fictional story, Kanuga is a place where people can truly experience a vacation filled with old-fashioned fun and relaxation.” To celebrate the re-imagining, Kanuga is offering a limited-time Dirty Dancing package. Available Aug. 18-20, the package coincides with the Dirty Dancing Festival in nearby Lake Lure. Lake Lure served as the backdrop for several memorial scenes in the original movie. The package includes accommodations at Kanuga and breakfast for up to two guests; call 828-692-9136 to make reservations. Other getaway options are also available during the summer, fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas seasons. Designed to serve as a respite from the hectic pace of daily life, stays at Kanuga include meals, lodging at the inn or guest cottages, and activities. More information about Kanuga’s guest periods and seasonal conferences and retreats can be found online at kanuga.org. The three-hour filmed musical event features the story from the beloved 1987 romantic drama and instant movie classic told from a fresh perspective. Dirty Dancing stars Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) as Baby, Debra Messing (“Will & Grace”) as Marjorie Houseman, Bruce Greenwood (“American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson”) as Dr. Jake Houseman, Nicole Scherzinger (“Dancing with the Stars”) as Penny, Colt Prattes (“Rock of Ages,” Pink’s music video “Try”) as Johnny, Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”) as Lisa Houseman, Tony Roberts (“Annie Hall”) as Max Kellerman, Trevor Einhorn (“Mad Men”) as Neil, Shane Harper (“The Passion”) as Robbie Gould, J. Quinton Johnson (“Everybody Wants Some”) as Marco, Beau “Casper” Smart (“Perfect Match”) as Billy, Katey Sagal (“Sons of Anarchy”) as Vivian Pressman and Billy Dee Williams (“Star Wars”) as Tito. Dirty Dancing, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Allison Shearmur Productions. Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances “Baby” Houseman falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle, and nothing is ever the same for anyone in the Houseman family. Modernized, updated versions of the memorable, favorite songs from the original film, including “Time of My Life,” “Love Man,” “Do You Love Me,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,” teamed with well-known songs that are new to Dirty Dancing, such as “Fever” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” are woven into the storytelling and performed by the talented and versatile cast.     Read Story »

Henderson County Business

AVL wins $18M grant

The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority has been awarded an $18.2 million discretionary grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Federal Aviation Administration will allocate the funds, which will be used to complete the airport’s new runway project. “Maintaining a modernized hub of transportation is critical for our region and business community, so I’m excited to hear of this new development,” U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows said in a news release. “I’m confident that these additional grant funds will go a long way in allowing our local transportation officials to serve our region to the best of their ability. I want to particularly recognize and thank my friend and A.A.E. executive director, Lew Bleiweis, for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Asheville Airport.” The rehabilitation project for the airport’s runway has been a priority of the FAA to improve the airport’s infrastructure and ensure that the runway system meets construction standards. The grant is another step toward the completion of the project. “We are pleased that our elected officials understand the infrastructure needs at Asheville Regional Airport, and that they have advocated for the discretionary grant funding,” said Lew Bleiweis, executive director. “I would like to extend recognition to Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, as well as Congressmen Mark Meadows and Patrick McHenry for their leadership. The airfield project is the most significant construction project our airport has undertaken since the airport opened in 1961, and will ensure our ability to serve the aviation needs of Western North Carolina for decades to come.”   Read Story »

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