The weather up here Just how odd is the weather this year? Wouldn’t it be great to have an easy reference to turn to that would make local weather trends clear and understandable? For 21 years, Alex Huang, chair of UNCA’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, has compiled just such a resource: an annual calendar that […]

Sticking around The StickHouse Grille has opened a second Asheville location at 640 Merrimon Ave., about three-and-a-half miles north of their two-month-old restaurant at 645 Biltmore Ave. The locally owned chain, headed up by Savoy owner Eric Scheffer and Geri Wolff of Market Works International, plans to expand to at least 15 eateries across the […]

Radio in living color How much would you pay to see a show featuring one of the comic masterminds behind Saturday Night Live? Would you pay even more knowing the program features a best-selling author and one of the most-talked-about political satirists in the country? Well, come Nov. 30, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville […]

New digs for the ACRC Local community-service and activist group the Asheville Community Resource Center recently relocated to a new location at 135 Hilliard Ave. The group has been seeking a larger space than their last home, a comparatively cramped office on Carolina Lane. The Hilliard location is the third for the group in the […]

Adoption festival targets potential parents Sure, it’s trendy to adopt small children from far-flung locales like Cambodia and Ethiopia, as Angelina Jolie has proven on many a tabloid cover. But no matter how cute and fashionable they are now, there’s no guaranteeing those urchins will like you when they become teenagers. “My husband and I […]

Campaign Calendar • Nov. 2 political pub party: The Bryan Freeborn campaign will host an evening of local music and political discourse at the Westville Pub in West Asheville, starting at 9 p.m. The public is welcome. • Nov. 3 council forum: Kenilworth’s Democratic Precinct 7 is hosting a reception and City Council Candidate Forum […]

Terry Bellamy Age: 33Residence: West AshevilleOccupation: Marketing and development manager, Mountain Housing OpportunitiesYears in Asheville: 33Education: B.A. in English (UNC-Charlotte); enrolled in Duke University Nonprofit Certification Program; working on M.A. in English (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Six years on City Council What most distinguishes you from your opponent in this election? “I present a comprehensive […]

Robin Cape Age: 48Residence: North AshevilleOccupation: MusicianYears in Asheville: 17Education: Studied art & literature at UNCA and UNC-Chapel HillPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: Woodfin Water Board since 2003 What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this election? “I do not view them as opponents, but as fellow citizens willing to be in service to their […]

Joe Dunn Age: 61Residence: South AshevilleOccupation: Retired dentistYears in Asheville: 44Education: B.A. (UNC), D.M.D. (University of Louisville)Political party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Four years on City Council What most distinguishes you from your opponent in this election? “[I am not] afraid to take a position. I tried hard to find a solution to the water debate. I […]

Bryan Freeborn Age: 29Residence: West AshevilleOccupation: Self-employed carpenterYears in Asheville: 4Education: B.A. in history (Evergreen State College), pursuing master’s in public affairs (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Asheville Transit Commission, Democratic Party State Executive Committee, Young Democrats, active on environmental and transit issues, prior City Council campaign What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this […]

Holly Jones Age: 43Residence: Montford HillsOccupation: Executive director, YWCA of AshevilleYears in Asheville: 9Education: B.A. in public-policy analysis (UNC-Chapel Hill), master’s in divinity (Duke University), master’s in public health (Chapel Hill)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Four years on City Council, community-based organizing for housing, children and health care What most distinguishes you from your opponents in […]

Carl Mumpower Age: 52Residence: Town MountainOccupation: PsychologistYears in Asheville: Most of my lifeEducation: M.A. in education (Western Carolina University), M.S.W. (University of Georgia), Ph.D. in psychology (Union Institute)Political party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Four years on City Council, two as vice mayor What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this election? “I am dedicated in word […]

Chris Pelly Age: 48Residence: Haw CreekOccupation: Real-estate brokerYears in Asheville: 15Education: Arizona State UniversityPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: Ran for City Council 2003; president, Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods 2004 to present; president, Haw Creek Community Association, 1995 to 2004 What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this election? “I am experienced and have a track […]

Keith Thomson Age: 45Residence: Near UNCAOccupation: Computer-network-systems engineer, small-business ownerYears in Asheville: Since 1981, except to attend school in Chapel HillEducation: B.A. (UNCA), M.A. (UNC-Chapel Hill)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Asheville City Schools (Budget Advisory Committee, Innovation Task Force, PTO president); Children First of Buncombe County; Asheville-Buncombe Clean Air Community Trust; YMI Cultural Center; Citizens for […]

Shopping for a solution Most animal shelters are easily identified by the disheartening din of caged dogs and cats. Not so Animal Haven, a 10-acre farm in east Asheville where abandoned, abused and homeless critters wait for new homes in a setting that’s more sanctuary than lockdown. And it’s not just felines and canines that […]