For many people, pets and religion have several things in common: comfort, companionship and unconditional love. And the Mills River Presbyterian Church is giving pet owners a chance to bring the two together, becoming the latest local church to offer a "Blessing of the Pets" service — this one on Saturday, July 25. Not just […]
TEDx Asheville sets date, confirms three speakers
The Asheville version of an annual California-based conference known as TED will be held Aug. 30 at The Orange Peel. Earlier this year, a contingent of TED fans got together and decided to organize a local edition of TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design. With help from the mother organization, TEDx Asheville was […]
Calendar creator sparks buzz to save bees
Mary Ellen "Mel" Hughes has a simple goal — save the honeybees. The Asheville entrepreneur had heard about the devastating effects of something called colony collapse disorder, a mysterious affliction that's been killing off honeybees at an alarming rate over the past few years. The implications of the trend — the loss of hundreds of […]
Asheville economy sees seismic changes
Two local experts on the economy delivered a restrained assessment of the financial landscape during an annual Asheville forum on July 15, a forecast that left little doubt that the current recession will leave a lasting impact. Economic upheaval: Tom Tveidt, a researcher at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, says the current recession has […]
Asheville FM backers start building studio
Coming on the heels of recent controversy at WPVM, Asheville's low-power FM radio station, more than 60 people have come together to create a new grass-roots station. It's called Asheville Free Media (aka Asheville FM). Tuned on, tune in: At least 50 people are backing a fledgling effort to create a new community radio station […]
Fourteen seek Asheville City Council seats
The filing period for Asheville's municipal elections ended July 17, and there's no shortage of candidates. Ten candidates are running for City Council and four for mayor. The Oct. 6 primary will narrow the field to two mayoral aspirants and six Council hopefuls. The Nov. 3 general election will determine who ultimately occupies the three […]
Bracing for budget cut, UNCA announces layoffs
Anticipating a 10-percent budget reduction by the state (about $4 million), UNCA has eliminated 43 staff positions, including eight actual layoffs. According to a July 13 press release, 26 of the positions were vacant at the time. Nine of the remaining 17 employees were reassigned to other open positions. With state education funds in short […]
The Green Scene
The push for green jobs is well under way in Buncombe County and nationwide, and A-B Tech students are right in the thick of it. As part of the school's array of sustainability programs and initiatives, students in construction-industry programs, in particular, have been busy with both on-campus and community projects. Roof 'n' tumble: Blending […]
Mary Benson House
Kate and Covey Mary Benson House is a therapeutic home for pregnant and postpartum women recovering from drug and alcohol problems and their children. Since its inception almost 15 years ago, the Mary Benson House has provided safe harbor to hundreds of women and has played an integral role in the healthy births of their […]
Into the Forums
Another video from MX Boarders, City Council elections, the bank robber who notified 911 — and more, made their way, not only into MX’s Forums, but also this weekly round-up.
Mountain BizWorks hires new executive director
The new chief executive officer of Mountain BizWorks tells Mountain Xpress about the best banking job she ever had and looks forward to a strategic planning period with the nonprofit that serves small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The one on the right
"We've got to spend less time fighting amongst ourselves," proclaims Timothy F. Johnson, the North Carolina Republican Party's new vice chair. "The Bible tells us that a house divided cannot stand. Well, a party divided cannot win. The first thing is to hopefully start fostering that unity." "A party divided cannot win": After a bitterly […]
Haywood Street property goes digital
High-tech computer modeling may play a significant role in negotiations over a much-scrutinized piece of city-owned property downtown. Visual aid: Several high-tech computer renderings are underway to help visualize what construction on this Haywood Street site could look like. Photo by Jonathan Welch The McKibbon Hotel Group wants to build a seven-story hotel on the […]
Urban Outfitters’ downtown plans get mixed reception
Urban Outfitters plans to open a store at the corner of Haywood and College streets in downtown Asheville. Ken Masri, the director of store development, said the national retailer hopes to open in the former CVS drugstore site by this fall. Plans call for removing the building's façade to expose the original brick; the two-story, […]
Mount Zion to proceed with demolishing buildings
The Asheville Downtown Commission has approved the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church's plans to demolish two downtown buildings it owns. On July 10, the commission gave final approval on a 7-3 vote. Both structures are in The Block, the city's historically African-American business district: a 10,000-square-foot building at 40 S. Spruce St. (built in 1915) […]
Woodfin plans massive annexation
Woodfin is pursuing an annexation that would increase its population by almost 50 percent, bringing 3,360 people from the Erwin Hills and Leicester areas into the town. The stated reason is to keep Asheville from annexing the area first, which the city has denied is a goal. Residents of the 3.4-square-mile area have objected to […]
State approves water quality permit for The Cliffs
After months of controversy, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality issued a water-quality permit for The Cliffs at High Carolina on July 2. The permit brings the developer a step closer to proceeding with a golf-course community on a roughly 3,000-acre site between Swannanoa and Fairview. The construction and maintenance plans will affect about […]
The Green Scene
Time is not on Dot Rice's side. On a gray day in June, she stood in the shadow of the Federal Building and voiced her disappointment that Gov. Bev Perdue hadn't made time to meet with her during an Asheville visit. "My family's still in danger," said Rice. For decades, they've lived near the contaminated […]
Pack Square Park takes shape with sod, fountain work
Pack Square Park got a green makeover today with the installation of nearly 18,000 square feet of sod. On Thursday, the park’s signature fountain will receive its crowning piece with the installation of a 20-foot-diameter brass ring.
Xpress-rated video: Sneak preview of July 15 edition
Here’s your video sneak preview of the July 15, 2009, edition of the Mountain Xpress. Hey, did ya hear the one about …
Urban chickens reported stolen
Someone apparently stole a flock of urban chickens living on the campus of Isaac Dickson Elementary School in Asheville, according to a school parent who has worked closely with the school and its birds.