Garden Journal

At play with DNA: Dr. Randy Gardner of the NC State University’s Department of Horticultural Science is conducting a study comparing the production of two heirloom tomatoes with two new heirloom-type hybrids he developed. The public is invited to have a look at his results on Monday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at […]

Victims’ assistance comes to Asheville

The North Carolina Victim Assistance Network will host its 21st annual training conference in Asheville from Aug. 28 to 30. Attendees will include local, state and federal criminal-justice and law-enforcement professionals, victim -elated service providers, surviving victims of rape, elder abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and family members of homicide and DWI crash victims.

“King Kong building” passes one more go

The Ellington, a 23-story “boutique” hotel proposed for a site fronting on Biltmore Avenue, Aston Place and South Lexington Avenue, received unanimous approval from Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission at its Aug. 1 monthly meeting. On deco: The Ellington Hotel, whose style is labeled neo-deco by its architect, could become Asheville’s tallest building if current […]

Living on the cheap

Newcomers and old-timers alike report it is increasingly difficult to find affordable housing in the Asheville area. The city’s Planning and Development Department reports that Asheville’s home prices are higher, both relative to incomes and in absolute terms, than any other metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city of Asheville, the Affordable Housing Coalition of […]

Dog tired

Take six adults and a geriatric golden retriever named Athena, and you’ve got the makings of enigmatic theatre company’s new production, Athena, by local playwright Lucia Del Vecchio. Described as offbeat and triumphant, the play’s world premiere is part of the North Carolina Stage Company’s Catalyst Series. Headed for the doghouse: Has the enigmatic theatre […]

Garden Journal

A little night music: The N.C. Arboretum continues its Twilight Tuesday events with music from the Silverwood Trio on Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. The evening includes a guided tour of the gardens at dusk, light refreshments from the Savory Thyme Café and a stroll through the Arboretum’s indoor and outdoor art […]

Garden Journal

Federal shot in the arm: The massive farm bill currently being debated on the U.S. House floor will include millions of dollars to benefit one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing industries: the nurseries that cultivate shrubs, flowers and sod for the state’s ever-growing population. In the past, such bills highlighted row crops such as cotton, corn […]

Buncombe commission­ers admit nothing following secret session

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met in emergency session Monday night to discuss possible resolution of the county’s long-running battle with Asheville concerning water. No public action ensued, but Chairman Nathan Ramsey announced that the board will reconvene for a second special session on at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, in Council Chambers.