Xpress Files: Richmond Hill Inn bankruptcy documents

Federal bankruptcy court documents filed by the owner of the Richmond Hill Inn show that the loss of the inn’s historic mansion to fire on March 20 was valued at $7 million, including $25,000 in oriental rugs, $55,000 in food and wine and an unknown amount to replace the irreplaceable — a portrait of Gabrielle Pearson, the wife of the congressman and ambassador who built the original Victorian mansion in 1889.

Anatomy of a local Twitter argument resolved: Politics & peace in a small town

Early this morning, local Twitterer WNCGOP began his day with a terse politically and sociologically charged one-liner: WNCGOP: “Good morning everyone. It’s raining here in Asheville, NC (which is a good thing, because it keeps down the stink of those damned hippies).” Here’s what happened in the ensuing hours of Twitter discussion:

What’s hatching in WNC – March

Insect Time of month Patterns to Match type Blue-Winged Olive All month overcast days 16-18 Mr. Rapidan, 16-20 BWO Parachute, 20 BWO Biot Spinners, 18-22 BWO Klink Emergers 16-22 Skinny Nelson, Poison Tung, Mighty May, AP Nymph, Best Nest black dry subsurface Blue Quill early 16-20 Blue Quill, Thunderhead 16-20 Hare’s Ear Nymph or Bird’s […]

Ragtime (part 1)

The following photos were taken by Michael Ring, a UNC-Asheville student working as a marketing intern with Ragtime Vintage Clothing (20 E. Walnut St., Asheville, 225-8889).  Of the clothes, supplied by and modeled at Ragtime, Rings says, “We think that these outfits exemplify the heart of Asheville style.” Model: Grant Waters Model: Ryan Ashley

This weekend on a shoestring

It’s spring. There are more hours of daylight. Dig those coins out of your couch cushions and the floor mats of your car and head out for great local music. From shoegaze to grindcore, from psychedelic to Latin pop, there’s something for everyone in this (perhaps) most eclectic of roundups.  And, as usual, nothing costs more than $5.

Buncombe Commission­ers

Despite difficulties, Pack Square renovations on track, conservancy officials say County manager recommends delaying decision on new office facility Commissioners change meeting place The Buncombe County commissioners probably wished they’d had some luck o’ the Irish on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) as they heard a report from the Pack Square Conservancy indicating that the […]

Picture this

Plenty of people travel for their work; what sets local photographer Rene Treece apart is that her jaunts are adventures, and the travel photos she takes don’t pay the bills. Instead, Treece’s photos are intended to lay the groundwork for future projects. Adventuresome spirit: Photographer Rene Treece takes a self-portrait in Peru. Photos by Rene […]

State court rules Buncombe County zoning, multifamil­y condo ordinance invalid

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled that Buncombe County’s zoning and multi-family condominium ordinances are invalid, asserting that the Board of Commissioners failed to give proper notice for the public hearings on those matter. At press time, the board was scheduled to meet in closed session on March 24 to decide whether to […]