Drones Affordable … & Unregulated
Volume
21
/ Issue 44
Cover Design Credit:
Elizabeth Bates
Thanks to high-resolution cameras and relatively modest cost, drones are considered a game changer for things like airborne surveillance and photography. But with FAA regulations many months away, numerous concerns remain unresolved.
arts
Nest Egg releases krautrock-infused “Respectable” with a free show
Unfettered freedom courses through Harvey Leisure’s repeato-psych compositions for Nest Egg. The guitarist, though, has some pretty stringent ideas about how to put on a show, all of which could…Hendersonville woman paints mobile memorials for WNC veterans
The tailgate on Tom Riddle’s 19-year-old truck catches the attention of passers-by as he cruises the streets of Western North Carolina. The tailgate, custom-painted by Andrea Martin in February, features…The past is a voyage of self-discovery in Cindy McMahon’s Fresh Water from Old Wells
Cindy McMahon’s recently released memoir, Fresh Water from Old Wells, begins with the story of a conversation with a friend. That talk convinced the author to overcome the resistance she…Asheville’s The Fox & Beggar Theater debuts ambitious Tarocco
When Tarocco: A Soldier’s Tale debuts Friday, May 29 at The Orange Peel, it will mark the completion of a long and complex trail that began, appropriately enough, on a…Smart bets: Aaron Kleiber
A veteran of the Pittsburgh comedy scene, Kleiber began his entertainment journey with childhood antics, eventually solidifying his place as a professional comedic actor, writer and film producer.Smart bets: The Tallest Man on Earth
That the Swedish-born musician writes songs more eloquently in English — his second language — than most of us can communicate in our mother tongue is astonishing. Matsson's newest release,…Smart bets: Tellico
The release performance for Relics and Roses, produced by Jon Stickley and engineered by Chris Rosser, takes place at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on Friday, June 5.Woody Pines’ new record fuses busker performance chops with well-traveled musicianship
Woody Pines, who returns to Asheville on Friday, May 29, for a show at Jack of the Wood, honed his craft on the streets of New Orleans. His new, self-titled…Smart bets: The Crowin’ Hen
“A whistling girl and a crowing hen will never come to any good end,” says local musician and award-winning playwright Tom Godleski, reciting the mountain saying that inspired his latest…Black Bear Coffee Co. announces Battle at the Bear band competition
The grand prize for this battle of the bands is $350 in cash, a full promotional kit from Peppermint Media and three songs professionally recorded, mixed and mastered by Giraffe…food
Sunny Point Cafe’s ‘libation engineer’
Sunny Point Café is well-known for its breakfast and brunch offerings, but for the past few months, Noah Hermanson, the restaurant's self-described "libations engineer," has been crafting a new bar…living
Widow’s Tale retreat leads to rediscovery and recovery
When Donna Marie Todd's husband died, she was 55. Bereavement counseling helped her begin to heal and understand her grief, but she found a lack of resources when she set…Harvesting serenity: First Step Farms uses agriculture to overcome addiction
First Step Farms WNC is two farmsteads, both located on historic farmland in Candler. One site grows vegetable starts for small farms; the other grows flowers for weddings and school…Conscious Party: Team up for life
Teams of fundraisers will be taking laps inside the Carrier Park velodrome this weekend to raise money for the American Cancer Society.movies
Screen scene: Local film news
East Asheville Library continues its free documentary series, Wake Forest University students produce a documentary about the Hollerin' Contest at Spivey's Corner and a local documentary looks at creativity as…news
Letter writer: City of Asheville should fund and build apartments for homeless veterans
"if the city of Asheville really wants to fulfill the mayor’s promise to Michelle Obama to end veteran’s homelessness, it is going to have to figure out a way to…Letter writer: Don’t risk children’s health with new Duke Energy substation
"As a grandmother of a child who will be attending the new Isaac Dickson Elementary School in the fall, I'm very concerned that Duke Energy is planning to build a…Blue Dream Curry House to open downtown
The owners of the soon-to-open Blue Dream Curry House are planning a menu will feature a curries from Thailand, Japan, India and China, and their sights are set on offering…Gypsy Queen Cuisine owner plans a West Asheville storefront
Although Suzy Salwa Phillips helped establish Asheville's food truck scene several years ago with her mobile business, Gypsy Queen Cuisine, she now has plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop in…Eyes in the sky: Commercial drone operators anxiously await FAA rules
With the Federal Aviation Administration still many months away from issuing rules on the commercial use of drones, Western North Carolina entrepreneurs are eager to offer customers a bird's eye…Letter writer: Is Asheville becoming Boomtown, N.C.?
"While there is no doubt that Asheville is in need of more lodging for the increasing number of tourists, the concern is, 'How is it going to be accomplished?'"Small Bites: Fresh Lunch debuts new downtown delivery service
Fresh Lunch brings a new daytime delivery service to downtown, Standard Pizza plans a Biltmore Village location and Asheville breweries sponsor the Beer City Cup soccer tournament. Plus food writer…If the creek don’t rise: Flooding, money and politics in the River Arts District
City plans to improve infrastructure, expand public space, increase access and encourage private development in the River Arts District have triggered considerable controversy. Xpress reached out to the city, RAD…Letter writer: Kudos to Harris Teeter and shoppers for supporting local troops and their families
"This May, we want to salute Harris Teeter and the Asheville location for its continuing efforts to help support the military during Military Appreciation Month and honor the men and…Taking a hard look: WNC’s sustainability report card
As we celebrate Earth Day 2015, we take a look at the status of the sustainability movement in WNC. How far have we come, and how far do we have…opinion
Strive not to drink and drive
Lean on my house
Letter writer: Why not let Asheville residents benefit from tourism boom?
" The concern and resistance from the hotel and bed-and-breakfast industry about individual residents listing rooms for short-term rental on Airbnb or other similar sites is overstated and unwarranted."Letter writer: With bicycle tourism comes increased need for bike lanes
"Please create the infrastructure for bicyclists that is safe. Putting bikers on a road designed for auto traffic is a hazard — to all parties involved."The Gospel According to Jerry: Moonshine memories
“Moonshine” was produced by the light of the moon, to prevent law enforcement from detecting the smoke from the fire required to distill the resulting alcohol. All that was needed…