Howloween: Our (spooky) annual Animal Supplement
Volume
22
/ Issue 14
Cover Design Credit:
Alane MasonCover Photography Credit:
Asheville Pet Photography, ashevillepetphotography.com
From the fun to controversial, Xpress focuses on animals in this issue — including adorable pets in costume, falconry in the mountains, a look at the downtown carriage horses and more.
arts
Blind-date collaborations sparked Ben Lovett’s Lovers & Friends project
Ben Lovett was introduced to 12 songwriters in Los Angeles, and during a series of blind-date-type meet-ups, composed songs with each of those strangers-turned-collaborators. The result is the four-EP series,…Smart bets: Jimmy Landry’s Birthday Bash
White Horse Black Mountain hosts musicians Jimmy Landry, Beth Wood and David LaMotte at the seventh annual Birthday Bash Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m.Hobey Ford premieres “Ichabod” film in Handmade Puppet Dreams festival
After an invitation from Heather Henson, local puppeteer Hobey Ford adapted his Legend of Sleepy Hollow-inspired production into a seven-minute short film. It premieres locally Thursday, Oct. 29, at The…Asheville Area Arts Council holds a Halloween-themed Color Ball
The Halloween-themed fundraiser, held at the Asheville Masonic Temple, features live music, dance, an art exhibit and live auction.Smart bets: Wah!
The multi-talented wellness specialist performs at Jubilee Community Church on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m.Creep factor: Where to haunt, howl, rock, roll, trick, treat and celebrate this Halloween
Halloween only falls on a Saturday every six years, so that's one more reason to go all out this year. When planning your costume, steer clear anything too heavy, tight…Smart bets: April Verch Band
Verch's trio plays a roots set at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8:30 p.m.Smart bets: Shawn Mullins
Shawn Mullins returns to The Grey Eagle as part of his tour for "My Stupid Heart." Chuck Cannon opens the seated show Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m.food
What the wild things eat: Feeding the animals of the WNC Nature Center
A trip to a local grocery or pet store is all it takes to feed most pets, but many of the hundreds of creatures inhabiting the WNC Nature Center aren't…Small bites: Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn celebrates one year
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn is offering fans free popcorn and more during the company's first anniversary celebration. Meanwhile Standard Pizza Co., has a new downtown location; Asheville's gluten-less population convenes for…living
Bird’s-eye view: falconry in the mountains
One of the oldest known forms of hunting and sport, falconry remains shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding, often seen as an arcane and sometimes brutal practice. But one local falconer…Fairy food: WNC’s wild air potatoes satisfy appetites, feed imaginations
A local search for tiny tubers leads to a discovery of Cherokee fairy folk and an exploration of Chinese medical lore.Eco-friendly dying offers a new way to cross over
On Halloween we honor our ancestors and remember that death is an inevitable part of life. But the process of death and dying is changing in Western North Carolina, as…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
This week's roundup includes the Culture Vulture Film Festival, silent movies at the Leicester Public Library, a screening of the documentary Citizen Autistic and news about the the third episode…multimedia
Howl-O-Ween: It’s not just for humans
Halloween costumes aren’t just for people anymore! Increasingly, pet caretakers are dressing up their furry family members and taking them out on the town for this spooktacular holiday. Just in…news
Yay or Neigh? Carriage tours draw fans, protests
While fans clamor to pet and snap photos with Gypsy Gold, Asheville's only working carriage horse, animal activists claim carriage horse tours represent a throwback to a past we ought…Future shock: Designing climate-resilient buildings
An upcoming conference gives Asheville a lead role in efforts to integrate the latest climate science into the hands-on practices of architects, builders and others. “Climate Resilient Design in the…Food for thought: City Council candidates weigh in on local food policy
From improving food access to supporting urban agriculture, the six Asheville City Council candidates shared their views on local food issues at a recent forum hosted by the Asheville Buncombe…Small-scale democracy: Small town elections offer intriguing possibilities, but few options
“The best cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.” — Edward Abbey, A Voice Crying in the Wilderness The affluent little town of Chevy Chase, Maryland, population 2,918,…Asheville City Council general election guide
Six candidates of the original 15 remain after the Oct. 6 primary election: Brian Haynes, Marc Hunt, Rich Lee, Julie Mayfield, Lindsey Simerly and Keith Young. Of those six, only…All Things Animal: Community Calendar roundup of animal related events from 10/28 through 11/5
Boo Bash shopashevilleoutlets.com/event/boo-bash/2145463270 SA (10/31), 5-7pm – Asheville Humane Society dog adoption event with live music, trick-or-treating, kids games, and costumes for pet dress-up. Free to attend. Held at The…opinion
Letter writer: Eastern European article shows we are ‘all one’ human family
"I am grateful to live in a community and a country that embraces diversity."Letter writer: Teachers shouldn’t be charity cases
"Our teachers should make enough money to afford a decent place to live on their own and shouldn't be charity cases reliant upon nonprofits to make ends meet. "Letter writer: How to choose only three City Council candidates?
"Asheville is so lucky to have this lineup of candidates!"Letter writer: Hunt, Mayfield and Lee impress this environmentalist
"I'm proud to cast my vote for Marc Hunt, Julie Mayfield and Rich Lee."Letter writer: Lee supports governmental transparency
"On each issue, Rich has worked to bring the community together and discuss the facts, a refreshing break from the safe talking points we often hear from political campaigns."Letter writer: Haynes, Young and Lee have interests of citizens at heart
"This City Council election is pivotal. There are three candidates who have the interests of citizens at heart and three that might not."Letter writer: Marc Hunt has advocated for public parks
"If you support greenways and parks in Asheville, please vote for Marc."Letter writer: Haynes is passionate about progressive principles
"Given that affordable housing and environmental protection are two of the greatest challenges our city faces, Brian is more than deserving of one of my three votes for City Council."Letter writer: Mayfield didn’t represent in water system negotiations
"Julie cannot be trusted to represent us on City Council. What devil would she secretly attempt to cut her next deal with?"Letter writer: Simerly, Hunt and Mayfield advocate for city residents
"I have seen Lindsey, Marc and Julie tirelessly advocate for the people of Asheville with passion, grace and skill. "Letter writer: Lee and Haynes have my vote
"I am backing Rich Lee and Brian Haynes because both will be loyal to the people of Asheville, with particular concern to affordability, the overmarketing of Asheville by the hotel…Letter writer: Simerly has experience to make Asheville better for working families
"When I think of what makes Asheville great, I think of Lindsey [Simerly], her experience, her community involvement and passion."Letter writer: Rich Lee offers voice of reason for City Council
We need Rich Lee’s patient and humble voice of reason on City Council. We need his vision, financial expertise, political independence and his steady pragmatism. We need passion for smart…Letter writer: Equality NC backs Hunt, Mayfield and Simerly
"For the City Council race in Asheville, we are endorsing Marc Hunt (at large), Julie Mayfield (at large) and Lindsey Simerly (at large)."Letter writer: Young, Haynes and Lee are in tune with voters
"We don't need another building downtown — we need green space, and for Sierra Club to take the side of more development was disappointing."Election Rejection Dejection
Letter writer: Helios Warriors offers holistic therapies to veterans
"Along with the other organizations featured in your article, Helios Warriors helps ensure that the veterans of Asheville, Western North Carolina and beyond have another source of hope and light…Letter writer: Bothwell’s Sierra Club criticism is disappointing
"Good people can disagree on the park versus mixed-use/public plaza discussion. But no one is saying 'high-rise hotel,' even though Cecil [Bothwell] keeps propping up that straw man."Letter writer: Lot across from Basilica must become park
"The three candidates for City Council who support that green space deserve our support — Brian Haynes, Keith Young and Rich Lee."St. Lawrence Green no litmus test for voters
"Relying on the single-issue test is like looking at the panorama of the election through a drinking straw."Letter writer: Mayfield says experience with legislators makes her more effective
"Asheville voters do not need to question my willingness or ability to fight for Asheville and its water system in Raleigh."Letter writer: Mayfield failed to fight hard for city water system
"We eventually quit working with Julie [Mayfield] after it became clear to us that it was more important to her to protect her relationship with the 'good' Republican on the…Letter writer: Even the Sierra Club makes mistakes
"As strange as it feels to be opposing the Sierra Club, I urge my fellow members, and, indeed, anyone who feels that this election is as much about protecting our…Letter writer: Sierra Club endorses three for City Council
"The Sierra Club has endorsed Julie Mayfield, Marc Hunt and Lindsey Simerly for Asheville City Council after reviewing the records, experience and positions of the candidates on a broad range…Letter writer: Take a good look at the candidates who want your vote
"Most residents like the city the way it is and respect slow and thoughtful progress for the future, but lately, it feels like it is big money pulling the strings.…