Michael Robinson reports in the Warren Wilson Echo: When I first heard it a couple years ago, Ryan Harvey’s music politicized me. Ryan has been a member of the Riot Folk Collective, an anti-profit mutual-aid collective of radical artists and musicians, since it initially began in 2004…. Ryan will be touring the Southeast in February […]
News Bulletins
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United releases a report about gender inequity in the food industry
On the heels of Valentine’s Day, one of the biggest days of the year for restaurants, we have this unsettling report, which we wish everyone would read. Seems that restaurant serve wages have remained the same for 20 years, a fact that most people who have worked in the business know all too well. Somehow, […]
Henderson County public schools likely to start Aug. 27
From the Times-News: Henderson County public schools that follow the traditional calendar are likely to start classes on Aug. 27, though the school board is still waiting to hear whether state officials will require 185 instructional days in the 2012-13 school year. School board members on Monday approved two proposed calendars for the 2012-13 Early […]
Gun control scholar to speak at WCU on March 5
From the press release: CULLOWHEE – Gun control scholar Gary Kleck will speak at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, in the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom on the campus of Western Carolina University. Kleck will review research in the field of gun control in his presentation “Guns and Violence: Good Guys vs. Bad Guys,” which […]
Win Bassett to head NC Brewers Guild
According to the Raleigh News and Observer, The N.C. Brewers Guild named a new executive director this week: Win Bassett, a former Wake County assistant district attorney. Bassett, a longtime craft beer enthusiast and founder of ncbrewing.org, said he will focus on legislative efforts as the state’s burgeoning craft beer industry looks to grow stronger. […]
Neurologist identifies NC Senate leader’s health condition
From the Times-News: A neurologist treating Marc Basnight has identified the former North Carolina Senate leader’s chronic health condition as a motor neuron disease that affects his brain stem, making it difficult for him to speak. Basnight, a Dare County Democrat, is diagnosed with what’s called progressive bulbar palsy, which affects nerves down to the […]
Park Ridge Health to offer free 8-week class about how to live a healthy life
From the press release: Park Ridge Health wants you to live healthier, happier and with less stress. That’s why we are offering the free CREATION Health series class to the public. The eight-week series will take place on Tuesday evenings from March 6 to April 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Wellness […]
Number of candidates for Henderson County sheriff grows to 12
From the Times-News: Two additional candidates for Henderson County sheriff applied to the county Republican Party this morning, before the selection committee deadline of 10 a.m. The final two applicants are Bill Fishburne and Ronnie Edwards, selection committee Chairman Andrew Riddle said. The field of candidates now stands at 12.
Civitas Institute Presents: Free Market Academy Asheville: Economics in One Lesson
Here’s the press release from the Buncombe County Republican Party: Civitas Institute Presents: Free Market Academy Asheville: Economics in One Lesson Sign up Free Market Academy Asheville. Date: March 13, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM When: Tuesday, March 13, 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Where: Skyland Fire Department 9 Miller Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 […]
New York Magazine covers Asheville in its travel section
(Photo: Courtesy of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau) “Home to the annual electronic-music festival Moogfest, this progressive spot in the heart of the Smoky Mountains boasts a thriving arts and music scene year-round,” says “New York Magazine” in its travel feature, “The Five-Point Weekend Escape Plan: Go Alternative in Asheville.” While to-do suggestions begin […]
Ellen Frost files for commissioner candidacy with family by her side
Here’s the press release from the Frost campaign (photo also courtesy of the campaign): Tuesday afternoon, three generations were present when Ellen Frost filed for candidacy to become a Buncombe county commissioner. Frost was joined at the board of elections by both her daughter Liz and grand-daughter Lexi. Frost wanted to share this outstanding moment […]
Rep. Chuck McGrady honored by NC land trusts for promoting conservation
Here’s the press release from the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy: Rep. Chuck McGrady honored by NC land trusts for promoting conservation MORGANTON— State Rep. Chuck McGrady is the recipient of an award given by North Carolina’s 24 land trusts to a public official who has been a critical part of land and water protection in […]
Greenpeace targets electric utilities in campaign launched in Asheville Monday
From an article in the Charlotte Observer: Greenpeace, the environmental group known for facing off against whalers on the high seas, has targeted its own behemoth in Duke Energy. The group said Tuesday it has launched a campaign to make Duke “the clean energy company that North Carolina and the United States deserve.” Greenpeace faults […]
DOT finally allows Hendersonville sidewalk project to proceed
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, A few weeks ago, construction began on a new sidewalk on the south side of 191 from Justice Street — a block west of 25 — down to the Brookside subdivision just past Blythe. City of Hendersonville Engineer Brent Detwiler said the project was the catalyst for a sidewalk bond […]
Chapel Hill enacts protest/camping ordinance
According to the Raleigh News and Observer, The Chapel Hill Town Council approved new rules 8-1 Monday night that will prohibit overnight protests on public spaces like the recent Occupy Chapel Hill-Carrboro encampment downtown. The ordinance asks groups to get a permit two days in advance to use Peace and Justice Plaza, the space outside […]
Learning from raptors — kids and hawks in school
On February 17th Asheville-based conservation organization, Wild South, will host Save Our American Raptors’ (S.O.A.R’s) outstanding educational program at Dana Elementary (10am) and Bruce Drysdale Elementary (2pm) Schools in Hendersonville, NC. These unique and experiential programs will introduce school children to the wonders of nature through an up close and personal experience with birds of […]
Ashvegas: Exec with Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts got $217K salary in 2009-‘10
Ashvegas reports on the remuneration for the executive director of the group that aims to build a multimillion-dollar center near city hall: One of the highest paid arts professionals in Asheville got a raise in the 2009-’10 tax year, according to tax records, although the project remains far from completion. James Baudoin, executive director of […]
Moffitt says legislative demands kept him away from LWV water meeting
Asheville Citizen-Times reports: Moffitt said Tuesday he wanted to attend [the Feb. 13 League of Women Voters public forum on the state House committee evaluations of a plan that might seize Asheville’s drinking water system], but legislative work on groundwater contamination issues was scheduled at the same time in Raleigh. That work had to do […]
Progress Energy urges stiffer penalties for Greenpeace action
Hendersonville Times-News reports: …“We believe the laws and regulations need to be a stronger deterrent … [Greenpeace’s] actions jeopardized a vital part of infrastructure that serves 160,000 in Western North Carolina,” said Martha Thompson, Progress Energy manager of community relations for the western region. However, Greenpeace Media Officer Keiller MacDuff said the group’s efforts to […]
Occupy Asheville issues statement on Council’s vote to evict
Full statement from Occupy Asheville’s media working group: Asheville NC – It might have been Valentines Day but the City of Asheville still voted to break up with Occupy Asheville by passing a series of proposed ordinances that expand city park boundaries (6-1 vote) to the land used by the 24/7 occupation as well as […]
Urban News publishes cover story on Buncombe Commissioner candidate Keith Young
Here’s an excerpt from the Urban News cover story on commissioner candidate Keith Young: President John F. Kennedy once said that those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. Keith Young takes that belief seriously. He understands that change is the inescapable driver of history in the United […]