"Party Keg" cartoon by Brent Brown

Party Keg

Lately, it seems as if certain multi-lettered agencies are following the letter of the law, more than the spirit, when it comes to spirits, and particularly malt beverages in beer-soaked Asheville and surrounding areas. Whether a result of too many alcohol-related fests too fast; poor communication from one side, the other, or both; or a new focus to step up enforcement; […]

Big Love Festival celebrates over 150 independen­t local businesses and organizati­ons

As Sunday, Aug. 24, approaches, don’t be alarmed if you see two people at Pack Square Park taking tape measures to sidewalks and other structures. It’s just Big Love Festival co-organizers Brandy Bourne and Justin Rabuck ensuring that their event is meeting safety and venue guidelines. Now in its fourth year, Big Love evolved out of […]

Geek squad: Local heroes and superheroe­s join forces for GeekOut Asheville

by John Granatino  johngrntn@gmail.com Here’s what TV would have us believe about geeks: They live sheltered lives away from the public eye, stay up all night reading “Firefly” forums and only visit each other under the fluorescent light of a “Star Trek” convention. But while they may actually do those things, today’s geeks (nerds, Trekkies, techies) […]

A festival for one and all

For more festivals, visit Calendar and mountainx.com. LEAF, at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, returns for its spring installment with family-friendly camping, arts (performance, visual, healing, etc.), dance, crafts, kids activities and plenty of music. Headliners include Los Lobos, Beats Antique, Red Baraat, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars and many more. Thursday-Sunday, May 8-11. Tickets […]

Asheville City Council: To Moog or not to Moog

Asheville City Council passed $90,000 in incentives for Moogfest this evening, both in cash and services, with the possibility of a partnership continuing for years. However, while its proponents touted it as an important investment in the city’s future growth, one Council member asserted that it’s an unreasonable amount of taxpayer dollars to go to an event not entirely open to the public.

Asheville City Council: more agricultur­e, a festival search, and downtown crime

At tonight’s meeting, Asheville City Council approved new rules allowing urban farming and produce sales throughout the city. Council also approved starting the search for a summer event to replace Bele Chere. On a less optimistic note, the public and city officials discussed increasing issues of crime, policing and homelessness in Asheville’s core.