‘Rat Pack’ salute delivers swingin’ musical romp
What to do if there’s an ‘American Spring?’ — See Story, Pg. A4
— See Review, Pg. B1
Another view on ‘disinvite’
— See Guest Column, Pg. A12
ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
June 2014
Vol. 10, No. 7
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com
Asheville’s ‘Idol’ winner
Caleb Johnson, surrounded by well-wishers during a downtown Asheville parade in his honor May 10, was named the winner of television’s “American Idol” singing competition series on May 21.
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
Along came polygraph....
Q: My girlfriend is really insecure and gets furious that I meet my ex-girlfriend for lunch a few times a year. This ex and I broke up years ago, but I’d never cheat anyway, and I’ve explained that I have zero romantic interest in her. Still, she’s a good friend and part of my life. How can I make my girlfriend understand? — Badgered Want to know the answer? See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A10
Daily Planet photo by JOHN NORTH
He also was given the “keys to the city” by Mayor Esther Manheimer, whom he said is “hot.” Playfully, he declared he is “king of Asheville.” An editorial on his unlikely victory appears on Page A14.
FREE
Labeling of GMOs demanded From Staff Reports Urging a boycott of food products containing genetically modified organisms, more than 100 people participated in the March Against Monsanto on May 24 in downtown Asheville. Participants gathered for a rally on Pack Square, which was followed by a march through downtown. “Hey, hey, ho, ho. GMOs have got to go!” they chanted. Among the messages on the signs the protesters carried were “Monsanto, no one wants your poison food,” “Just label it” and “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” Asheville’s protest was one of more than 400 on that day around the world, challenging the unlabeled use of GMOs. As the world’s largest chemical and agricultrual bilotechnology company, Montanto has become a lightning rod that has drawn the wrath of food safety activists, who say it puts GMOs into its food products. The movement was launched in 2012 after a proposition failed in California that would have required mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not required GMO labeling. Monsanto, which contends that its products are safe, has spent millions of dollar fighting mandatory labeling proposals. Experts say at least 75 percent of processed foods contain GMOs.
‘Something for nothing’ pitch ripped By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
FLETCHER — In offering “something for nothing, President Barack Obama is “a cardcarrying member of the ‘People of the Lie’ Society,” Dr. Carl Mumpower charged during an Asheville Tea Party rally and cookout May 16 at Fletcher Community Park. Mumpower, who was the keynote speaker, gave a talk titled “Three Great and Not-SoGreat Role Models for Patriotic Americans.” The fundraiser drew about 40 people on an unseasonably cool, blustery afternoon. The other featured speaker was George Humphries, an adjunct history professor at Mars Hill University, who addressed “North Carolina’s Heritage of History.” Besides the 15-minute-plus speeches of Mumpower and Humphries, a few 2014 iCaucus-endorsed candidates spoke more briefly. Mumpower, a conservative activist, former member of Asheville City Council and congressional candidate, began with the
aforementioned reference to “our current president,” noting that the “‘People of the Lie’ Society” reference was coined — in a different context — by the late psychiatrist and bestselling author Scott Peck. Mumpower charged that Obama has Dr. Carl Mumpower “practiced endsjustifies-the-means thinking so long, he has come to believe dishonesty is okay — worse, he no longer even realizes he is doing it.” He also contended that the president “remains indifferent to the rule of law — practices rule by law — if we run things by our own whim, we are betraying our oath of office and
blueprinting a darker American future.” Obama “pulls just enough truth out to manipulate people,” Mumpower asserted. “He’s also the great seducer... His greatest sin is he secures his future with the hollow promise of something for nothing for our future. “He turns so many people” in the direction of dependency on the government However, Mumpower said Obama “cannot deliver on the promise, but blames others for repeated failures at all levels.... “Folks, I’m a Republican — I’m still a Republican. But job one” for those elected from either major party “too often becomes personal vanities, recognition or re-election— that’s opportunism, not leadership or principle-based service... I’ve seen that theme .... too often.” Regarding “principles,” Mumpower said it means that which guides “the words before the election.” Conversely, after the election, the principles are dropped, as the official tends to refocus on “power, popularity, party, personality and practicalities....” See RIPPED, Page A8
A2 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
McHenry addresses income inequality, education By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
dead... It won’t pass the House of Representatives... It’s a troublesome agenda. You see private-sector unions dwindling in the United States. Simply joining a union doesn’t mean you’re going to have a job next year.” Another Rep. Patrick McHenry questioner asked, “What are your thoughts on the minimum wage?” “That doesn’t lift up the family,” McHenry said. “The largest group is high school students,” who, because their starting wages are low, are able to obtain their first jobs. “My first job, I worked for the minimum wage — and I worked for my father,” McHenry said with a bit of attitude, prompting laughter. At age 11, young McHenry thought he deserved higher pay, but his father said, “You’re my child, so the laws don’t apply to you.” The CIBO crowd laughed even louder. On a more serious note, McHenry said, “So what I saw out of that is a training wage is a very meaningful thing. If you talk to the fast-food industry — if there’s a fry cook who shows up on time, very soon he becomes assistant manager and eventually part-owner of a fast-food manager.... I don’t think raising the minimum wage in this economic environment is the right approach.” He added, “They say it will cost between a half million and a million jobs in America” to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. “If you want more jobs, focus on education and training,” instead. For North Carolina, McHenry said, “I’d like to see an economy like North and South Dakota,” where he noted “the minimum wage there is $15 to $16 an hour — and they can’t even” find enough qualified applicants to fill all the jobs in their roaring economies. “I think a strong economy will lift more people up than raising the minimum wage,” McHenry said. CIBO member Dwight
ENKA — U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-Cherryville, addressed income inequality in America and the importance of education and training to resolve the issue during a May 2 breakfast meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners at A-B Tech’s Haynes Conference Room. About 40 people attended. McHenry, who was an unscheduled speaker at the CIBO meeting, also got to speak first. “I wanted to speak for two or three minutes and then find out what’s on your mind,” McHenry said, noting that he “just got in from Washington” and that he represents “the economic center of the western North Carolina — Asheville and Buncombe County. “The debate on inequality is what I want to bring to you. The idea that we’re having a discussion on equality is right and good. The discussion, though, completely misses the point. “The idea of lifting up one group of people over another” is off-base, McHenry asserted. “The average family... the median family, in this country — they make about the same as they did in 2000 and in 1989, not adjusted for inflation.” In the United States, he said, $51,000-plus is the median family income. “The cost of things has gone up,” McHenry said. “The cost of housing has normalized... but the cost of cars, the cost of transportation to fuel up those vehicles, the cost of health care, the cost of education ... has gone up. “So the median family has actually fallen. The median family spends over 50 percent on the cost of housing and transportation. So gas prices are” important. McHenry then asserted, “The most important thing is education and training — those things will lift those families. “Are we going to be a low-cost producer like China? I think that’s already been done well, or are we going to be like Germany? I think that’s a possible course.” During a brief question-and-answer period that followed, CIBO member Mac Swicegood asked, “As a sidebar, I read where the national transportation fund is going to be insolvent... If people can’t get to work, that’s going to be a big problem.” “You’re right,” McHenry replied. “You’re right. North Carolina has the largest gas tax in the Southeast. The way we fund our roads is through the gas tax. With more efficient cars, we have diminishPublished monthly by ing returns on our gas tax.... Star Fleet Communications Inc. “So what we have to do is use the revenue streams that come JOHN NORTH Publisher off the resources from the public Phone: (828) 252-6565 • Fax: (828) 252-6567 land. If you look at Louisiana, Mailing address: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 they generate about a third Website: www.ashevilledailyplanet.com of their income from public E-mail the following departments: lands.... I think that’s a very News: news@ashevilledailyplanet.com important point you’ve made.” Letters to the Editor: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com Another CIBO member Display Advertising: advertising@ashevilledailyplanet.com Classified line ads: classads@ashevilledailyplanet.com asked, “I don’t know how Circulation: circulation@ashevilledailyplanet.com familiar you are with union Publisher: publisher@ashevilledailyplanet.com attempts.... Can you tell us anything about the strength of To subscribe to the Asheville Daily Planet, send check or money-order to: the union” movement in North P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 Carolina “and their attempts to have more power against their One-year local subscription (Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., only)..............................$35 employers.” “Well, North Carolina is One-year out of area subscription (outside of Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., the least unionized state in the but inside the United States).........................................................$50 nation and that’s resulted in One-year outside U.S. subscription economic benefits over the past (outside U.S.)..................................................................................$100 decade,” McHenry replied. Copyright 2011 by Asheville Daily Planet. Advertising copyright “The process now is you must 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without have people calling for an written permission is prohibited. The Asheville Daily Planet is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per perelection through that secret son. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 per copy, payable at Card Check process. ... That’s the ADP office in advance. No person may, without prior permission, take more than one copy of each issue. one piece of legislation, but it’s
Butner, owner-manager of Vincenzo’s restaurant downtown, said an issue that should be addressed is the need to shift the debate from getting a college degree for future success to several options, including getting a technical education, such as in the culinary field. Agreeing, McHenry said, “That goes back to the diversity of training program. The precollege track is not right for everyone. You have experienced welders who make a lot more than middle-class wage. You think about plumbing.... So we need to get back to career and technical education,” without exclusively pushing a college education for everyone. At that point, McHenry bid goodbye, triggering applause when he said, “Thank y’all for what you do for business and industry.” In other presentations, CIBO heard updates on the Buncombe County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program from School Superintendent Tony Baldwin;
Asheville’s new graffiti ordinance by Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball; and the city stormwater utility fee increase proposal. As for the STEM-themed high school program, Baldwin said about 800 students in Buncombe (including Asheville) participate. He stressed that it is “giving our kids workplace experience.... If there’s ever been an effort on school outreach, this is it. In my 29 years, I’ve never had a program that go so much enthusiasm in the community.... “We closed down our career education center three years ago. UNC Asheville is one of the partners in this (STEM) school. We’re going to bring those professors in to make sure students get as many colllege credits as possible,” Baldwin said. “The second partnership is our partnership with you.... We’ve learned we’ve got to do a better job in the business of education.”
Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 - A3
Offer expires 06-30-2014
A4 — June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
If there’s an ‘American Spring,’ then what?
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
WAYNESVILLE — It would take “something profound to make the Internet go away,” but given recent efforts by the United States government to erode individual liberty, the possibility is there, an author who goes by the pen name of Angery American said during a conference for preppers May 17 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. Angery American, the keynote speaker at Heritage Life Skills III Weekend and the author of the post-apocalyptic fiction series, “Going Home,” also noted that he has another book coming out June 24 — and yet another in December — and teased the crowd about “a rumor of a possible movie deal.” The three-day event, which emphasized primitive survival skills, was sponsored by Carolina Readiness Supply in Waynesville. No crowd estimate was available by the Daily Planet’s deadline, but last year’s event officially drew about 225 people. “If we have an ‘American Spring’ in this country, who’s to say the government wouldn’t slow it (the Internet) down or turn it off?” Angery American asked, rhetorically. He lamented that “the children on (television’s) ‘Little House on the Prairie’ have more (survival) skills than the average American now.” The Angery American spoke of a “de-evolution of humans,” wherein people generally are “getting fatter, slower, dumber. We’re only going to turn that around... if we do it” on an individual basis, rather than looking to the government. “Society doesn’t want self-reliance. When
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something happens, somebody’s supposed to come.” With a wry chuckle, he added, “Until then, we’ve got to rely on ourselves.” Coupling the general lack of survival skills and knowledge Angery American with what he termed the real possibility of the government turning off or slowing down the Internet, Angery American said, “We need to be thinking about those things” more thoroughly and begin “storing information on devices.... “We live in a wonderful world right now, where anything you want to know you can find out through a ‘magic box,’” referring to the Internet on a computer. “Take the time now to learn things. and start putting that stuff into place now. And save that knowledge.” Given a possible extended grid-down situation,” he emphasized that “your printer can be your friend. Print that stuff out and keep it,” in the event that computers no longer work. “Print it. Save it to a disk. Save it to a tablet. Even if there’s a grid down (scenario), there’s still going to be the trappings of technology. That stuff’s not going to disappear.” At the conference, Angery American observed, “We focus a lot on primitive skills. While they’re important, they’re your lastditch resort. “In nature, animals take the easiest route. With all the stuff we’ve created in this world, which will still be here, we need to use that (technology) to our advantage.”
For example, he asked, “What about chlorine and brake fluid? If you’ve got to start a fire, that’ll do it.” He added, “Use the things that are available in mass quantity and use them to your advantage. When the Internet goes away, there won’t be any more ‘looking it up.’” He praised last year’s keynote speaker Bill Forstchen, author of The New York Times bestseller “One Second After,” but said the characters in that book were in “amateur hour... Those people don’t have anything” in the way of preparations in the aftermath of a collapse of the electrical grid as the result of an electromagnetic pulse attack. “I often say the ‘Going Home’ series is written by ‘us’ for ‘us,’” Angery American said in pointing to his credentials as someone who has been prepping since the 1990s. He noted that in his books, some of his characters actually are preppers who are depicted dealing with catastrophes, such as deadly epidemics, electrical grid collapses and other calamaties. Later in his talk, Angery American asserted, “With the way the government’s acting.... I think we’re facing ‘1984.’ Now there’s college campuses banning the word ‘bossy.’ But they’re training us slowly that way. They’re
indoctrinating us slowly and taking these things (freedoms) away incrementally.” On a lighter noted, he prompted laughter when he added, “Getting back to the skills ... they say the more you know, the less you need. I find the more I know, the more I need.” “Your phone may be useless in a collapse. If you have a smart phone, you still can use other aspects of it, including the flashlight function. Pull the battery out and use that.” After a pause, he said, “I think we get too focused on ‘Grab your backpack and head for the hills.’ I ask those who say that, ‘Where are you going to go?’” In Western North Carolina, for instance, “We’re already where everyone else wants to bugout to... You’re going to hit the road — with everyone else — and go where? “I’m not a huge fan of bugging out. I am a huge fan of networking where you are and developing resources” through relationships with amenable neighbors, Angery American said. “I’ve got a wife and three daughters... Could we provide security with five people? But if you network with people and you build relationships now... It’s too late to find the exit to the building when there’s a fire. You need to know beforehand” where the exit is.
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After losing $1.5M, Moogfest grant request rejected
From Staff Reports
Moogfest 2014, which recently revealed that it lost more than $1.5 million during its five-day Asheville festival, was turned down May 20 in its grant application for $250,000 to help put on next year’s Moogfest. However, the Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority board said it will consider money for the event in the next few weeks as an economic development tool. The CRA voted in favor of more than $400,000 in operational support for Pack Place and $250,000 for a planned expansion of the Asheville Art Museum. The board voted 6-0 to not consider the Moogfest application, saying it came in well past the deadline and the music, art and technology event does not fit the CRA’s mission. The authority is in charge of county libraries, parks and greenways. CRA members also said at the meeting that they had told other organizations after the deadline that it was too late to seek funds — and that it would be unfair to make an exception for Moogfest. David Gantt, chairman of the county Board of Commissioners and the CRA board, said Moogfest is “one of the better things we’ve ever done here.” However, Gantt said he voted agaist the funding “not on the merits, just on the timing” of the request. A few days before the meeting, the Moogfest 2014 loss was revealed. Revenue included more than $712,000 in tickets sales and $29,000 in food, beverage and merchandise
News Briefs
sales, offset by more than $2.7 million in expenses. The majority of the festival costs came from talent. Moog Music spent more than $1.5 million on artists and artists’ travel, hotel and meals.
Ethics board clears Moffitt
RALEIGH — The State Ethics Commission in mid-May dismissed a complaint against Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden, that was filed by his political challenger Brian Turner. The commission determined there was no probable cause to show Moffitt violated state law or the state Ethics Act during a meeting with Turner, a Democrat, on Feb. 24 at Travinia Italian Kitchen in Asheville’s Biltmore Park. Turner will square off with Moffitt in the November election in House District 116. The Democrat has said that Moffitt asked him to drop out of the race during the meeting. He said Moffitt told him he wanted to focus on running for speaker of the House, instead of running for re-election in his district. Turner claimed Moffitt suggested he would be rewarded if he quit and punished if he did not. The reward appeared to be a job running UNCA-TV, Turner said, adding that the punishment was action by outside political groups that would destroy his and his family’s reputation.
In the aftermath, Moffitt said the complaints were political and show “how desperate Mr. Turner is to get into office.”
$8 million and to hire a new president. An anonymous donor has pledged $6 million to the fundraising goal.
MONTREAT — The faculty at Montreat College in mid-May rescinded a vote it had taken nearly three months earlier, expressing “no confidence” in the college’s board of trustees. Via a letter to alumni, the faculty cited progress in addressing some of the issues that arose earlier in the year as Montreat considered a merger with George-based Point University. “This action does not mean that we believe all issues are resolved,” the faculty letter stated. “We will continue to address them with the belief that the channels of communication, collaboration and constructive resolution are now in place for us to work with the board.” The letter, by faculty members Kevin Auman and Patrick Connelly, was posted on th Alumni Association Facebook page. The “no confidence” vote came in February as the Montreat board of trustees voted to continue merger talks with Point University. Faculty members took the unusual step, citing a lack of communication by the board and worries that pursuing a merger could mean closing the residential campus. The Point University board later voted to drop the merger talks. Montreat has since launched its “all in” initiative, which calls for the college to raise
FLAT ROCK — Flat Rock Playhouse announced May 19 that producing artistic director Vincent Marini would step down on May 31 “to pursue new opportunitis.” Named interim artistic director is Lisa K. Bryant, who has served as associate artistic director. “Over his five years as producing artistic director, Vincent Marini has led Flat Rock Playhouse to new levels of artistic excellence while weathering the major challenges o the recession economy,” Clifford Stalter, presdient of the FRP board of trustees. “The Playhouse board will conduct a national search for a new artistic director.” Marini joined the Playhouse full-time in September 2009. Since then, he has overseen many of the theater’s most celebrated shows, such as “Les Miserables,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Buddy Holly Story,” “Twelve Angry Men,” “Cats,” “The 39 Steps” and more. During his tenure, the Playhouse set recrods for annual ticket sales and contributions — and it opened the 250-seat Playhouse Downtown on Hendersonville’s Main Street in 2011. The Hendersonville venue draws more than 35,000 visitors to downtown Hendersonville annually. “I am so very proud of all that we have accomplished together” at FRP, Marini said.
MC’s faculty rescinds vote
Playhouse chief steps down
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Ripped
Continued from Page A1 Mumpower added, “Unfortunately, these thus-corrupted men and women are simply a reflection of what we are earning — nothing more, nothing less. Most Americans are devoted to their own needs first and foremost. We have become the land of special interests. Special interests always evolve into selfish concerns.” The conservative activist then ripped what he termed “most media outlets,” asserting that “they’re dedicated to fulfilling our desire to be entertained, comforted, or validated versus informed. That’s our priority list and thus, theirs.” Mumpower said that “truth” is “more precious and harder to find than gold,” but ranks as “a secondary priority” to most media outlets. “It’s getting harder to find, not easier.... The media is decidedly biased to the left for one simple reason — that promise of something for nothing is very seductive... Over time and in an immature culture, (it) will defeat the more demanding tenets of conservatism — reality, reason, responsiblity and right. It is easier to follow the herd walking down hill than the one climbing up.” At that point, Mumpower highlighted three of his inspirtaions, including Solomon, Ben Franklin and Alice in Wonderland. “Solomon was one of my favorite people in history,” Mumpower noted, but things “didn’t end well” for him. His life ended “in sorrow,” he said. (Solomon, traditionally regarded as the greatest king of Israel and the son of David, reigned circa 970 to 931 B.C.) Toward the end of Solomon’s life, he was considered “the smartest man on earth” and, based on his failures, shared what Solomon termed “the four important things in life” — to work, to love, to learn and to celebrate the gift of life.” Mumpower said the aforementioned constitute the “four legs, in turn, resting on a relationship with God. Solomon declared that “all the rest is vanity — the disease of our day — and the foundation for four forces that are busily undermining our culture — irresponsibility, entitlement, fear and worry — the last two being the Bible’s most-referenced sins... But I’m afraid that word ‘vanity’ is guiding us today.” In contrast, Mumpower said, “Loving, valuing, apreciating and learning from God — that’s our foundation... We’re shifting away from that foundation... We’re shifting toward irresponsibility...” As for “entitlement,” he said it results in an attitude of “you owe me... What’s in this for me? Regarding Ben Franklin, Mumpower said, “I love that guy... He began life as an angry young man vulnerable to excess. He later figured it out and became a wonderful model of Solomon’s earlier advice. “He had a perfected ability to treat life responsibly and productively and yet not treat life’s nonsense too seriously.” Franklin “famously” just “winked at the absurdities” around him. “He refused to be depressed and pulled down” by the insanity he saw. Mumpower said a third inspiration was the fictional character Alice in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 fantasy work “Alice in Wonderland.” As several in the gathering smiled at the speaker’s fantasy-world reference, Mumpower asserted that “she was a really nifty young lady.... and Alice was surrounded by crazy people who thought she was crazy — sound familiar?” (In brief, “Alice in Wonderland,” which plays with logic and has been highly influential, tells of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populat-
ed by peculiar creatures with human characteristics.) Mumpower said that “this book was written to illustrate our insane world.” Regarding Alice, “the more she focused on their (others’) actions, the more distraught she became — when she focused on what she could control — herself — she recaptured her joy, hope and purpose... We live in Wonderland,” Mumpower contended. Mumpower, who also is a clinical and family psychologist, concluded by noting there George K. Humphries “are some lessons for tea party patriots” to learn from his talk. (See story below for a detailed list of those lessons.) In general, he said, “Don’t worry when crazy people tell you you’re crazy. You can slow down society... Most of the nonsense of life comes from vanity.” Mumpower added that “a relationship with God as your guiding voice” is vital. “We live in a self-correcting world and nature is on our side. And we will win. But the correction will not be painless. That’s the thing I find so troubling....” He said it pains him to say that, as a society, “our priority is securirty, safety and comfort — and if that becomes job one, then you will lose your liberty and freedom.” Who do you think has a clear sense of the realities of our world? The ‘greatest generation’ or today’s ‘me generation?’ I think you know the answer.” Returning to how to deal with critics, Mumpower said, “Anytime anyone from the left brings up the tea party to me, they say, ‘Oh, they’re a bunch of crazy extremists....’” Mumpower added that the truth, instead, is that “you’re dedicated to good values.” He recommended that the tea party members “link to the same wagon... Liberty, opportunity, responsibility — it takes all three together. America has been able to link to that more than any culture in the world’s history. “The left’s eventual failure will be the result of one truism — the left is doomed to fail” because it is “promising people something for nothing... increasing dependency and reliance on something... Their people will turn on them” eventually, Mumpower predicted. “We’re blessed to live in a country where the pluses continue to outweight the minuses. The door remains open if we have the character and courage to make the right choices,” Mumpower concluded. Speaking later at the rally, Humphries began by noting, “It’s a dangerous thing to give an old history teacher an audience, but I’ll try to finish in 13 minutes.” He then provided a relatively short U.S. and North Carolina history lesson, beginning with the beheading of Charles 1 of England in 1649 for treason — for dissolving Parliament. Following the rule by Cromwell through the 1660s, the throne was returned and eight men were rewarded for their efforts through the granting of a tract of America, from the southern border of Virginia, southward. Humphries then provided a highly detailed account of the historical happenings that shaped where North Carolina is today. Among the highlights were: • The establishment of the Carolina Charter in 1663, encouraging settlement in the area that includes what is now North Carolina. He said the act “demonstrated the new idea that citizens might be protected in their rights by a formal document.”
• The separation of North and South Carolina in 1712. • In 1729, North Carolina became a royal colony, which meant its citizens had the same rights as Englishmen. However, various issues arose involving liberty, prompting pushbacks, including the Regulator movement, in which “the people in the western part of North Carolina stood up against the crown when they felt their rights were infringed upon.” He added that “the last (N.C.) royal governor — fearing for his life — fled.” • The colony of North Carolina made America’s first official call for freedom from the British on April 12, 1776. To that end, the colony was a leader in saying that the Stamp Act “will be opposed to the death.” Without a dissenting voice, the North Carolina House supported a non-importation duty. This was the first such legislative body held in any of the colonies,” the professor said. The action amounted to treason — and the penalty for treason “was to be hanged by the neck, but not before death,” Humpries stressed. When the colony was warned not to print the North Carolina Gazette on unstamped paper, the British Ship Diligence was never allowed to unload its stamped paper in North Carolina. It was held at the Wilmington port. Its sailors were detained when they came to shore, Humphries recounted. Moreover, the Gazette published the resolutions — on unstamped paper — in New Bern on June 16, 1775. Soon other colonies also called for freedom, Humphries noted. Within three months, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. North Carolina’s official state flag features the date April 12, 1776 to remind people of the state’s commitment to liberty. “North Carolina deserves the slogan ‘First in freedom, First in liberty,’” he asserted. He told of the Battle of King’s Mountain, in which the colonists defeated the British, and to which Thomas Jefferson famously called it “The turn of the tide of success.” With a hint of pride, Humphries said, “Having been born in and lived in North Carolina most of my life, I must say that when it came to defending liberty,” his study of history shows “the people of North Carolina “never waivered in defending their freedom.” However, after independence from the British, Humphries noted a drift away from the values of the Founding Fathers. For instance, he said that in 1937, N.C. Sen. Joseph Bailey, “frustrated with corruption at the highest levels” of government, wrote, “We do not have a government in Washington. It is a gift enterprise and the gifts are at the expense of those who earn and save... In God’s name, do not do nothing while America drifts down the inevitable gulf of collectivism... Give free enterprise a chance, and I will give you the guarantees of a happy and prosperous America.” Lastly, he noted that Richard M. Weaver, born in Asheville and later the owner of a house in Weaverville (“although he didn’t get there much”), is widely “considered the founder of post-World War II conservatism.” For much of his life, Weaver was a scholar in Chicago, Humphries said. The professor added that, at a Young Americans for Freedom banquet in 1972, Weaver said, “It is our traditional belief that man was given liberty to ennoble him ... We may infer that those who would take his liberty away have the opposite purpose of degrading him... There can be no worth of a man unless there is an inviolable area of freedom in which he can assume the stature of man and exercise choice in regard to his work, his associates, his use of his earnings, his way of life.” Weaver characterized the “vast expansion of federal power as alarming,” Humphries said in reference to a trend that, he noted, is continuing today.
Mumpower’s lessons for tea party patriots?
From Staff Reports
FLETCHER — Following is Dr. Carl Mumpower’s summary of “some lessons for tea party patriots” that he shared during his May 16 keynote address during a rally of the Asheville Tea Party at Fletcher Park: • “Like ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ you are surrounded by immature and irrational thinkers — don’t treat them too seriously and don’t worry when the crazy people tell you that you are crazy. • “You can slow down our society’s downward slide to the left — you cannot stop it” — because it is “too easy to run down hill. • “Most of the nonsense of life comes from the pursuit
of vanity — use work, love, learning and celebration as your antidote — a relationship with God as your wind and guiding voice. • “We live in a self-correcting world — nature, like conservative-minded people, is devoted to reality, reason, responsibility and right — nature is thus on our side, but the correction will not be painless. • “If you wonder why we see to be willing to give up our freedoms, it’s because most people are afraid of freedom — they prefer security. • “Conservatism represented the values of most members of the ‘greatest generation’ — who do you trust more, them or the current ‘me generation?’ • “Look at the ‘extremism’ of your mission — liberty,
care with other people’s money and upholding the Constitution — you should be ashamed. • “The American success equation — liberty, opportunity and responsibility in unified action — it is a formula for achievement unique among all models in history.” • “The left’s eventual failure is assured by one psychological truism — dependent people always become angry at those upon whom they depend — this hostiledependency relationship is the Achilles heel of the left and the Democratic Party. • “We are blessed to live in a country where the pluses dramatically outweigh the minuses and the doors remain open to crafting our individual lives. Press on you shameless patriots....”
Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 - A9
Moore’s primary loss: Did ‘machine’ beat him? wrapup story in The Urban News. “Super-PACs affiliated with the Koch brothers and others have already spent millions (of dollars) against her. Although she has a war chest of approximately $8 million, compared to much less in Tillis’ hands, there will be no shortage of money
Todd Williams
Elllen Frost
Brownie Newman
flowing into the state fromm corporate and billionaire interests hoping to oust her,” White wroted. For November locally, the rematch between Frost with Republican Christina Merrill in District 2 could determine which party controls the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
Miranda DeBruhl
From Staff Reports It was a bad night for incumbents in the May 10 local primary races. Two incumbents, Commissioners Brownie Newman and Ellen Frost, fared well, winning each of their primaries by sizable margins. By a nearly three-to-one margin (6,003 to 2,221), Newman beat Keith Young, who aspired to become the first African-American ever elected to the commission. Frost whipped former Commissioner Carol Weir Peterson 3,884 to 1,681 votes. However, Commissioner David King was beaten by Miranda DeBruhl in District 3, so she wins the seat, as there is no Democratic candidate. In her campaign, DeBruhl ripped King for supporting a county budget that included a tax increase in particular, and for not being enough of a small-government conservative in general. Regarding DeBruhl’s win, Jason Sandford wrote on his Ashvegas webiste, “I have to confess that I know nothing about DeBruhl. I surmise that King’s campaign was damaged by his involvement in the dust-up earlier this year between N.C. Rep. Tim Moffitt and his challenger, Brian Turner. King brokered a meeting between the two that triggered a controversy over exactly who said what. King was a first-termer.” Perhaps the biggest surprise was the defeat of 24-year District Attorney Ron Moore, who lost by a 2-1 margin to challenger Todd Williams, despite being said to have solid support from the Buncombe establishment. There is no Republican candidate, so Williams will claim that seat. Some in the news media, hailing it as the beginning of a political “machine,” proclaimed Williams’ victory as a sign of the ascent of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party over the more moderate establishment wing. “District Attorney Ron Moore ran headfirst into the new Buncombe County political machine Tuesday, and it probably felt a lot like a hydraulic hammer, ‘cause he got pounded,” John Boyle wrote in a column in the May 11 edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times. Boyle quoted UNC Asheville political scientist Bill Sabo as saying, “It’s Weldon Weir reincarnated. (The reference was to the legendary Asheville city manager of the 1950s and ‘60s. “Basically, what they’re trying to do is build a new machine for local politics.” While Boyle declared that “today, no one individual wields that kind of power (as did Weir), but a very clever, cohesive group of Asheville progressives is putting its stamp on local elections. They backed Democrat Todd Williams in the primary race for district attorney, and he tallied a whopping 12,068 votes to Moore’s 5,0775. “It’s not like anyone is claiming membership in the ‘New Progressive Democratic Machine,’ and obviously no such organization formally exists,” Boyle wrote. “Sabo and I kicked around some prominent figures who seem to be key to the group, and we came up with these folks: City Council members Cecil Bothwell and Gordon Smith, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners members Holly Jones and Brownie Newman and Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger.” On the state level, the battle lines are set for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, with incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan squaring off with state House Speaker Thom Tillis. Hagan beat two little-known challengers in the primary, while Tillis won by a wide margin — with 40 percent — over a crowded field that included Greg Brannon, a libertarian with tea party support. Brannon, who finished second, proved to be a contentious opponent, but Tillis was able to collect enough votes to avert a runoff. Interestingly, in Buncombe, Tillis’ showing was weaker than elsewhere. Tillis won 39.6 percent of Buncombe’s votes, while tea party activist Mark Harris won 43 percent. DeBruhl is also believed to have benefitted from a strong tea party turnout. The Hagan-Tillis outcome could determine control of the U.S. Senate. “Hagan is widely perceived as vulnerable by pundits and Republican activists,” Moe White wrote in an election
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A10 — June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Advice Goddess
Continued from Page A1 A: Some people read poetry; your girlfriend lives it: “How do I love thee? You’ll soon find out — after I attach this car battery to your nipples and interrogate you about your lunch.” Although your girlfriend’s the one coming at you with the clamps, the truly unreasonable person in this relationship is you — dating an insecure person and then expecting her to act otherwise. Sure, you could encourage her to build her self-esteem, but until she hits bottom — like in a breakup — she probably has no incentive to change. You need to either accept the trade-offs — the hassle, the not being trusted — or leave and get into a relationship where, as the saying goes, “love means never having to say ‘I’m sorry the shackle attaching you to the basement wall is a little tight.’”
Plenty of fishy
I’m a single woman who’s just started online dating after ending a five-year relationship. I’m wondering when to mention that I only want casual dating/ friends with benefits — nothing serious. I don’t want guys thinking I’m seeking one-night stands (I’m definitely not), but I also don’t want to lead on guys who want something long-term. — Newbie A woman seeking regular commitmentfree sex is a bit like a man just looking for somebody to join him for scrapbooking and a cuddle. Each might be telling the truth, but their target audience will find it hard to believe. In other words, it’s best to avoid putting “not looking for anything serious” in your online dating profile. Some men will take it at face value, but many will see it as either a red flag (fake profile, a trap, etc.) or a “go for it!” flag to send their best penis selfie. Also, your profile is just supposed to be a thumbnail of you. You don’t owe anyone your five-year plan. You could, however, ask to have a phone conversation before meeting and casually mention your recent relationship history. On the phone, you become a person a guy can ask questions of rather than just a picture with a profile. You can clarify what you’re looking for and, assuming you don’t come off sketchy or psycho on the phone, quell a guy’s fear that “nothing serious” really means “I need a fling because the recently paroled felon I’m cheating on my husband with is boring.”
Que Syrah Syrah
I’ve been dating a fun, very attractive woman for about a month, and things have been going great. However, on our last date, we were out at dinner, and the female server accidentally spilled an entire glass of red wine on her dress. Though the server seemed mortified and apologized profusely, my date absolutely lost it — going into a rage and yelling at the poor server, telling her she needs to learn how to do her job, etc. Except for this incident, this woman has been sweet to me and generally acts like a nice person. Should I give her some leeway on this? — Concerned Red wine and clothing have been problematic companions for centuries. Impressive as it is that Jesus turned water into wine, if only he’d developed a way to turn wine back into water, he could have opened a highly successful chain of dry cleaners. And while it’s pretty awful when somebody spills red wine all over your outfit, it’s especially awful when you are on a date
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
and want to be at your sexy, pulled-together best. (If you felt a 2006 Bordeaux would have improved your look, you would have thrown a glass of it on yourself before leaving the house.) But as I note in my new book, “Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F---.” (June 3, St. Martin’s Press), when you’ve just started dating someone, the butter-paws waiter who gives them a red wine bath is probably doing you a favor. Significant character flaws (like rage issues) are unlikely to be revealed in the
early stages of dating, when the biggest source of stress you see your date experiencing is the kitchen’s forgetting to leave off the parsley garnish on their medallions of duck. If, when you’re dating someone new, you never get seated in the clumsy waiter’s section, go camping together, collaborate on a project, or engage in other stress-producing activities that strain a person’s patience and party manners. Bad personality traits, if any, are likely to scurry around like cockroaches after somebody turns the lights on. As for this woman, it doesn’t look good. Her behavior suggests not only a lack of compassion but poor “self-regulation,” psychologists’ term for the ability to control one’s emotional reactions. You also don’t mention her expressing embarrassment or apologizing afterward as
people acting out in uncharacteristic ways tend to do. If you decide to stick around, be wary of succumbing to “optimism bias” — our tendency to project a rosy future for ourselves: silver linings all around; hold the clouds. This leads to selective eyesight, like focusing on how hot a woman is rather than how hot-headed. This may work for you for a while — perhaps until she’s melting your ear in the drugstore aisle: “WHERE ARE THE TAMPONS I TOLD YOU TO GET, YOU BIG MORON?” Of course, at that point, there’s only one thing to say to her: “Sorry, ma’am. I think you’ve mistaken me for somebody else.” • (c.) 2014, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.
Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 — A11
is to bring people of all faiths into meditation. Sri Swamiji silently teaches the ancient practice of Dhyan Meditation as taught to him by his guru. A press release noted that “when Sri Swamiji was 14 years old, Lord Shiva appeared before him and placed him into deep meditation. He meditated virtually without ceasing for 12 years to become a yogi. Sri Swamiji does not give lectures. His gift of meditation is given as a friend without obligation.” The program will include an introduction, an hour of silent meditation, singing of traditional Indian spiritual songs, arthi, and an opportunity to speak with Sri Swamiji individually and receive his blessings and guidance. Admission is free.
Faith Notes Send us your faith notes
Please submit items to the Faith Notes by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via email, at spirituality@ashevilledailyplanet.com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for a faith event, call 252-6565.
Saturday, June 14
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT DAY, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., The Light Center, 2190 N.C. 9, Black Mountain. Mind-Body-Spirit Day will feature crystal bowls, Reiki circle and toning for peace and healing. Donations will be accepted.
Sunday, June 1
ADULT FORUM, 9:15 a.m., the Felix Building, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville. The church’s weekly adult forum will feature a continuation of the conversation with “Paul, Christianity and AntiSemitism.” Admission is free and all are welcome. CONCERT, 10 a.m., Coopers Gap Baptist Church, Coopers Gap Road, Mill Spring. The Land of the Sky Boys will perform in concert.
Saturday, June 7
YARD SALE, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., East Asheville United Methodist Church, 48 Brownsdale Rd. (across from the VA Hospital in the Oteen community), Asheville. An indoor yard sale will be held, along a Boy Scout troop selling items — including bedding plants — outside. Cinnamon rolls and coffee will be available. AGLOW MEETING, 9:30 a.m., Skyland Fire Department, 9 Miller Rd., Asheville. The AshevilleHendersonville Aglow will feature an address by Carroll Moffitt Jr. on the glory of God and the House of Prayer movement in the region.
Sunday, June 8
CONCERT, 6 p.m., West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Rd., Asheville. The Soul’d Out Quartet will perform in concert. PUBSING, 6-8 p.m., French Broad Brewery,
Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj will lead three meditation programs in the Asheville area, beginning at 7 p.m. June 12 at Jubilee Community Church at 46 Wall St. in downtown Asheville. 101 Fairview Rd., Asheville. Pubsing will feature an old-time gospel jam. Participants are asked to bring an instrument or just their own voice. Admission is free. MOUNTAIN SPIRIT COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Flagship Romance and Neptune’s Car will perform during the monthly Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse Concert.
Thursday, June 12
Meditation Program, 7 p.m., Jubilee Community Church, 46 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj will lead three meditation programs in the Asheville area. The other two will be held at 7 p.m. June 14 at the Asheville Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd. in Asheville and at 5 p.m. June 15 at Dhyan Mandir in Fairview. Each year, Swamiji, a master and living yogi from India, leads meditation programs around North America. His mission
Covenant Reformed
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www.covenantreformed.net Wednesday— 7 p.m. Prayer/Bible Study Sunday— 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship • 6 p.m. Worship
Summer Sunday Service • 10 am
Celebration Services 11 AM Sunday
Unity Church of Asheville An Informal Spiritual Center of Practical Christianity for Everyday Living.
Bookstore Meeting Rooms
130 Shelburne Road West Asheville 252-5010 www.unityofasheville.com
Sunday mornings Carolina Cinemas
Hendersonville Rd., Asheville
10:30AM
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Unity Center
A Church Family for ONE and ALL Come as you are! Sunday Services Sunday Services 10:00 a.m 9:30am & 11:00am Serving WNC for 60 years
891-8700 / 684-3798
2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd. Mills River 28759 Rev. Chad O’Shea
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Sunday, June 15
CONCERT/BUFFET, 3-10 p.m., Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Rd., Asheville. Michael Card will perform in concert following a buffet dinner. For tickets, which are
$50, call 298-2092 or visit www.thecove.org.
Monday, June 16
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville. “Faith, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still,” a seven-week women’s interdenominational Bible study, will begin. This year’s study will include the authors Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Pricilla Shirer. Childcare will be provided. The only cost is $13 for the workbook. To register, which is required by June 4, call the church at 693-4890 or visit gracelutherannc.com.
Saturday, June 28
SINGING IN THE FIELD, 4-9 p.m., 45 Music Way, Waynesville. The Caldwell Family Singing in the Field will feature the Dixie Melody Boys, Mountain Joy, The Inmans, Audience of One and His Chosen Few. Admission will be by donation.
Monday, June 30
CONCERT/BUFFET, 3-10 p.m, Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Rd., Asheville. David Phelps will perform in concert following a buffet. For tickets, which are $50, call 298-2092 or visit www.thecove.org.
A12 —June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Guest column
Kaliner’s wrong; flap over governor proved valuable
In response to Pete Kaliner's column in May's Daily Planet, regarding Gov. Pat McCrory's visit to Asheville in April for Moogfest, I think the protesters had full right to do what they did. However, I think the governor's invitation should not have been rescinded and he should have participated in Moogfest's opening panel discussion. Let democracy and freedom work itself out, I say. Personally, if I were to protest the arrival of the governor in my hometown, I'd want him to show up. As to whether the protesters felt the same way, I don't know. I'm sure most consider his absence (from the Moogfest opening) a victory, and that would be just. In retrospect, I think the controversy over the McCrory visit was good. The people of Buncombe County (of which a majority are Democrats) exercised their constitutional rights. Also, the whole situation let McCrory know that these constituents are not happy about things, including the Duke Energy scandal and the taking away of civil rights for voting, among many other issues. Clearly, it must say a lot, if this is the first time a North Carolina governor has been disinvited from a North Carolina town. And for the record, I have no political affiliations. I'm a proud independent voter. To me, in North Carolina, it seems like it's more than just Democrat versus Republican. It's also rich and poor, black and white, environmentalists and capitalists. It feels like we are all pitted against each other in some way. In referring to liberals as fascists, Kaliner makes himself sound as histrionic as Fox News, which often compare liberals to Nazis.
Olof Pohlson I think we're all in agreement here that liberals in America are neither fascists nor Nazis. If Kaliner's complaining about liberals not having an open dialogue, perhaps he shouldn't be calling them fascists and cowards at the start. If you were to call me such things, I would not want to hear anything else you have to say. There are new studies released about the science of persuasion. The studies show that establishing a different ideological barrier is the worst thing you can do in an argument. It makes your opposition feel guarded in his or her belief, and often just the act of presenting verifiable hard facts can strengthen their conviction, no matter how irrational it may seem (for example, climate change denial or anti-vaccine advocacy, with both dangerous belief systems going against the larger scientific community). Turns out the best way for someone to have an open mind and an open heart is to feel good about themselves. It seems these days that all of our differences have made an impassible crossroads between differing political views, but I have faith that this is only an illusion, and through selfless civic engagement and a true, vibrant democracy, we as a people can be united and celebrate what makes us the same while honoring what makes us different. • Olof Pohlson is a West Asheville resident.
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Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 - A13
Commentary
Let’s debate... as I bang these pots and pans EDITOR’S NOTE: Following are recent postings from Pete Kaliner’s blog. Kaliner hosts a talk show from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday on WWNC-AM (570). On May 15, Kaliner posted: Whoever dreamed up the idea of protesting at the North Carolina legislature by banging pots and pans... to you I say KUDOS! I’m not sure I could’ve crafted a better visual example of the immaturity and infantilism exhibited by many of the Moral Monday protesters. If you’ve ever given a young child or baby some cookware, you understand that they quickly discover the louder they bang those pots the more attention they’ll get. It’s pretty much the same thing here. Dozens of demonstrators clinked and banged pots, pans and spoons outside of the North Carolina General Assembly’s offices in Raleigh on Wednesday morning, protesting recent state laws, as senators and representatives met for their first day in session this year. The demonstration, in which people held signs protesting issues such as a Voter ID law passed last year, low teacher pay, and low unemployment benefits, served as a prelude for a series of demonstrations set for Mondays while lawmakers are in session. “Folks are coming out today to sound off for workers’ rights, for public education, for quality and democracy,” said Jeremy Sprinkle, a spokesman for the North Carolina chapter of the AFL-CIO union federation. Given the cacophony, allow me to summarize the position of pan-bangers: “We want government to take more money from other people and give it to people and programs we prefer. We’d also like Democrats to be back in charge.” The refrain of “You don’t represent the people” is a little odd, given that the targets of their protesters are, in fact, Representatives. As Matt e-mailed me yesterday: “Do they not know that the representatives represent the people by definition? Not that parodying a hymn about the second coming of Jesus Christ is acceptable, but if you are going to do it, at least get the basic civics right.” On May 20, Kaliner posted:
Moral Mondays... and the easy media
As North Carolina media focuses their dwindling resources on the easy coverage of the Moral Monday protests at the Legislature, there are actually some important pieces of legislation that are getting ignored. One thing to keep in mind about the Moral Monday coverage: It’s easy. Protests are ridiculouslessly simple to cover for a few reasons: 1. Willing interview subjects Unlike most news stories about horrible or embarrassing things, the people marching or picketing in a protest are usually eager to speak to a reporter. This makes gathering sound bites ridiculouslessly simple. An intrepid journalist can amass 6 or 7 different soundbites for their 90-second story in mere moments.
Pete Kaliner It also doesn’t matter what the protesters say. There is no need for follow up questions or a deeper understanding of their positions. Just roll tape, put a mic in the protester’s face, and listen to them proclaim: “We want our voices to be heard by these evil Republicans!” Rinse. Repeat. Put it in the story. 2. The video tells the story When comparing TV news to radio news, my old journalism professor used to say, “The good thing about TV is that you get to use pictures. The bad thing about TV is that you HAVE to use pictures.” When you go to cover a protest all the video is at the protest. No need to pack up the camera and drive to any secondary or tertiary locations to get video for the story. Just record lots of people protesting. Cut-away shots of their feet. Close-up shots of the duct tape across their mouths. Tight shots on the signs they carry. A good photographer can get all the necessary video in less than an hour. 3. Nat sound Short for “natural sound” - this is the audio that punctuates a news story. For a protest, it’s the chanting, singing, clapping, or banging of pots and pans. Reporters are always looking for these bursts of sound to add to a story. Protests are a constant procession of Nat Sound. Getting one or two pieces of audio can be accomplished in minutes. 4. No need for balance If you’re assigned to cover the protest, you don’t need to go talk to the people that are being protested. In fact, it’s impossible to provide any semblance of “balance” in this specific case. The Moral Monday protests are made up of people with innumerable grievances against the NC Legislature. Essentially, the Moral Monday protesters want the GOP to become Democrats and adopt the Democratic Party’s ideology, priorities, and policies. It’s a silly demand - which is why they never state it outright. Instead, they make demands for individual actions that, when compiled, would read very much like the Democratic Party platform. A reporter would not be able to seek out and interview people to present every counter-argument for the Moral Monday protesters. And even if a reporter could, a TV news story is not long enough to include all of these counter-arguments.
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The Asheville Daily Planet print letters to the editor, preferably less than 150 words in length. All letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for confirmation purposes only. Send your opinions to Asheville Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 or e-mail them to letters@ AshevilleDailyPlanet.com.
So, they don’t. These stories are similar in their simplicity: Some people gathered to protest. Here’s what it looked like. Here’s what they said. Give the station call letters and toss it back to the anchor.
Meanwhile, the legislature is looking to ban undercover video stings, cap cities’ business privilege licenses, and prohibit the disclosure of photos and GPS coordinates of agribusinesses. But these stories are harder to cover for all of the reasons that the Moral Monday protests are not.
A14 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Daily Planet’s Opinion
Caleb Johnson’s true grit carries him to ‘Idol’ victory
Congratulations to Caleb Johnson, Asheville’s “American Idol” winner, who, as a rough-hewn, straight-out rock ‘n’ roll singer, is the antithesis of the usual more-glitzy-than-talented pop-singing finalist. After a grueling competition, the rocker (resembling a young Meat Loaf) won the crown for Season 13 of the television singing talent series. This year marked the third time Johnson, 23, had competed, showing grit after suffering public rejection on TV the previous two years. His powerful performances, featuring strong vocal chords, broad range and impressive showmanship, helped to put him over the top. With Johnson’s crowning, which
was announced May 21, he makes North Carolina the state with the most “American Idol” winners. Others were Fantasia Barrino of High Point in 2004 and Scotty McCreery of Raleigh in 2011. Going from “average Joe” to celebrity is a huge transition, but we feel confident Johnson is up to it. While the contest may be over, Johnson’s whirlwind of activity is just beginning. He will be on tour with an “American Idol” show (nearest stop is July 22 at the Peace Center in Greenville, S.C.), he is recording an album and he even got a prom date with second-place “Idol” finisher Jena Irene. We wish Johnson all the best in his singing and show business career.
Would a real veto power help McCrory?
CHAPEL HILL — There’s a secret nobody in the Raleigh power establishment will confirm. It is this. Our Republican governor, Pat McCrory, would not mind if there were a few more Democrats in the General Assembly after this fall’s elections. When you ask people close to the governor about this possibility, they are not likely to give you a straightforward “yes” in response. But their flashing eyes and quick grins tell you that they think the governor would have more strength dealing with the legislature if there were fewer Republicans. As The Charlotte Observer’s Jim Morrill wrote earlier in May, “Gov. Pat McCrory’s first months on the job were trying. Legislators from his own party drove major policy debates on abortion rights and voter identification in 2013, often leaving the new governor little more than a spectator.” It is not the first time a North Carolina governor and a legislature controlled by the same party have butted heads. “Just who does he think he is?” I remember one powerful legislator exclaiming when a powerful education governor stepped over some imaginary boundary line while trying to push legislators to fund a new educational program. Recent governors have had a weapon in their dealings with the legislature, one that, arguably at least, McCrory does not have. It is the power to veto legislation. But McCrory does have the veto. Why suggest that he does not? The value of his veto power is limited because the Republican legislative leaders have a veto-proof majority in both houses. North Carolina’s Constitution provides that the legislature can override a governor’s veto by action of three-fifths of the members of both chambers. To override a governor’s veto in the state senate 30 votes are needed. Republicans control 33 of the 50 seats. In the house, 72 votes are needed. As of May 26, Republicans have 77 of the 120 seats. With their current majorities, the Republican legislative leadership has the votes to override a governor’s veto. With his veto power diminished, the governor has a hard time demanding a seat at the table or insisting on being consulted when major legislation is under consideration. With just a few more Democrats (four
D.G. Martin more in the senate and six more in the house), the veto-proof majority would disappear and the governor would get a seat at the table. Or so the story goes. However, longtime observers of North Carolina government remind us that most of our governors had to get along without the veto until 1996, when we amended our constitution. Until then, North Carolina was the only state whose governor lacked the veto power. Prior to 1996, governors without the veto had to find other ways to lead. And they did, using their control of the state bureaucracy, their power to make appointments to high positions, to direct highway and construction spending, to exercise their budget authority, to enforce state laws and regulations, to grant permits for activities, and through their use of their access to the media and the “bully pulpit” of the governor’s office. Prior governors, like Sanford, Hodges, Holshouser, Martin and Hunt, did more. They courted legislators, inviting them to regular breakfast meals at the governor’s mansion and paying regular attention to them. Speaking to a group of reporters earlier this month, former house speaker and current senate minority leader Dan Blue emphasized the importance of what he called the knowledge of “inside baseball” as an important part of the skill set of our prior successful governors. Ironically, the line of strong North Carolina governors ended about the same time the governor got the veto power. Maybe a few more Democrats in the legislature next year would give our governor a seat at the table. But it will not, by itself, get him into the pantheon of North Carolina’s most successful governors. • D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina Bookwatch,” which airs at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and at 5 p.m. Sundays on UNC-TV.
Letters to the Editor
City Councilman corrects report on his graffiti stance
I’d like to correct the representation of my position on Asheville’s new graffiti ordinance as reported in the May issue of The Daily Planet. I do not object to private property owners paying for graffiti removal, I specifically approve of it and believe it is part of the cost of owning property or “doing business.” What I object to is the use of taxpayer dollars to clean up graffiti on private property. My further objection to the ordinance approved by my fellow council members is that I don’t believe it will work. Other cities in North Carolina have successfully used fines on property owners who fail to quickly remove graffiti, but our ordinance doesn’t include such a rule. Meanwhile, we greatly increased fines for graffitists, a move which has never made any difference. Taggers don’t believe they’ll get caught, so the size of a possible fine is irrelevant. The ordinance passed by council seemed to reassure some members of our community that we are taking the problem seri-
ously, but I’d advise folks not to get their hopes up. Cecil Bothwell Member, Asheville City Council Asheville
Selling candidates? It’s like hemorrhoid ointments
Last time I looked at a Gallup poll, it showed that Congress’s approval rating was at an all-time low of 9 percent. Polygamy, pornography and the BP oil spill all had higher approval ratings. Even the “U.S. going communist” was more popular! Why? I think it’s because the public perceives that Congress has been corrupted by the influence of money on the electoral system. A century ago, comedian Will Rogers said that the U.S. had the best Congress money can buy. That’s still true, but it has become a great deal more expensive. That’s because candidates for political office these days feel the need to purchase expensive air time on commercial TV and radio stations in order to get elected. See LETTERS, Page A17
The Candid Conservative
I
Stealing is as stealing does
n last month’s letters to the editor, two writers enthusiastically endorsed the idea of a regional water authority. That this proposed authority is founded on the legislative theft of Asheville’s system apparently doesn’t matter. That this wondrous initiative gives other neighboring systems in Weaverville, Woodfin and Hendersonville a pass is quietly sidestepped. That local Reps. Susan Fisher and Nathan Ramsey laid the foundation, through Sullivan Acts II & III, for Rep. Tim Moffitt’s more recent shenanigans has been washed away. That the seizure of a $1 billionplus asset is uncompensated remains just another overlooked insult to a remarkable injury. How anyone purporting conservative values — here or in Raleigh— could uphold this big government use of eminent domain offers a front row view of why the Republican Party struggles to capture the faith of the conservative-minded. Stealing is immoral – regardless of the denials of the thief. In the case of Asheville’s water system, thievery is the right word. Asheville’s forefathers had the wisdom to purchase the two reservoirs representing the heart of the system. The arteries, otherwise known as water lines, are also almost universally owned by Asheville. The few that aren’t — those covered by the first Sullivan act — are gone or in need of replacement. Proof the lines covered by this 80-year-old law are no longer relevant is found in the new legislation Ms. Fisher and Mr. Ramsey championed. If you are one of many who find it hard to sift through the spin on the water issue, consider this analogy. Imagine you own a beach cottage legally passed to you by deceased grandparents. You rent that cottage so others can enjoy it too. After a number of years, those friends and neighbors decide their yearly rental fees entitle them to a share of your cottage – and so, in the misbegotten name of fairness, they take it from you. That’s precisely what’s happening with Asheville’s water system. Anyone telling you otherwise is a player in the big con. Lying is reliably partnered with stealing.
Carl Mumpower America’s Trojan Horse
Most great societies end by betraying the principles that made them great to begin with. America’s abandonment of its historic and much denied Judeo-Christian value system mirrors that pattern. Correction is in our future and reflection on the form it might take is in order. The Roman Empire fell because their assumedly primitive enemy successfully cut-off the capital city’s water supply. America has water and food a plenty. Our dependencies center on energy and technology. The dangers of energy disruption were affirmed by last year’s widely underreported terror attack on a pivotal transformer station in California. Knock out a half dozen unprotected and hard to replace transformer facilities across the country and you have essentially shutdown the power grid. Then there are our technology vulnerabilities. To the extent that more and more of what runs our high tech society is built in China, we’re vulnerable, like Rome, to having our supply cut-off, or, of equal danger, poisoned. The knowhow exists to create micro-chip Trojan horses with a built-in shutdown dates. In the 21st century, armies, factories, utilities, schools, vehicles and hospitals without chips or power don’t work – just like Rome without water didn’t work. See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page A17
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Commentary
O
ver the past few decades law enforcement in the United States has taken a troubling turn for the worse. While the rich have always enjoyed better treatment in court, presumably ever since the invention of courts of law, the playing field has been tipped to the point that it may soon tip over. We all know that overworked public defenders can't possibly provide the same time and attention to each case that can readily be purchased from private lawyers. And it is arguably true that someone with no financial stake in a community might present more of a flight risk than someone deeply invested, making pre-trial release and bond amounts a matter of cautious evaluation. But the shift that has overtaken our systems of policing and adjudication is breathtaking and appalling. A poor person caught selling a bag of marijuana is almost certain to spend time in jail, if not prison. An equally poor person receiving food stamps may be charged with felony fraud for misreporting tips from a part-time job in food service. A somewhat better off home "owner" may get behind in house payments and land in foreclosure. This is happening not just here and there, or occasionally—its happening to tens of thousands of our fellow citizens. Meanwhile, solid evidence revealed that HSBC (the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) was engaged in money laundering for Mexican and Columbian drug cartels, for terrorist organizations in the mid-east, helping international companies duck trade sanctions, and servicing Russian mobsters, altogether helping to hide billions of dollars of illegal cash, in multiple countries around the world and not one of the responsible executives served a minute in jail. So the white-collar criminals who put the bag of pot in the poor man's hand walked. UBS, Barclays and the Royal Bank of Scotland rigged interest rates, paid bribes, traded insider information and impacted the price of hundreds of trillions, that's trillions with a "T," worth of financial instruments, defrauding every person on the planet who is in any way connected to currency, in what was then the biggest case of fraud in world history. Nobody went to prison, while the poor schmuck accused of misreporting tips often lands in prison. Jamie Dimon and others involved in JPMorganChase and its subsidiaries marketed billions of dollars in so-called "toxic" bundles of sub-prime mortgages, defrauding multiple thousands of investors (including public and corporate retirement plans) out of billions of dollars in investment cash, and not one of the responsible white
LETTERS The Asheville Daily Planet invites Letters to the Editor of 200 words or less. Please include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address. For more information, call (828) 252-6565. Send mail to: Letters, Asheville Daily Planet P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, NC 28814 Send e-mail to: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com
Asheville Daily Planet —June 2014 — A15
On the left
Injustice in America Cecil Bothwell collar criminals spent a day in jail, let alone losing one of their multiple homes. So the over-extended home "owner" who may well have been talked into a mortgage she couldn't afford, or lost a job thanks to Wall Street machinations over which she had no control, becomes homeless and the bankers responsible get bonuses and vacations on
tax-free islands. These are not isolated instances, it is now defacto federal policy to impose fines on companies that violate the law and not prosecute the human beings who schemed to defraud. While the fines may run into the millions, they amount to days — sometimes mere minutes — of profit for the investment banks on Wall Street, and are simply a cost of doing business. Bizarrely, even our president seems to endorse this enforcement failure. In Matt Taibbi's excellent new book, “The Divide,” he notes that on the Dec. 11, 2011 edition of “60 Minutes,” Obama said: "I can tell you, just from 40,000 feet, that some of
the most damaging behavior on Wall Street, some of the least ethical behavior on Wall Street, wasn't illegal." So because "some" of the behavior wasn't illegal, no one gets prosecuted for the part that was? My guess is that "some" of the behavior of the low level drug dealer, the food server and the homeowner wasn't illegal either, but the full weight of the law is crushing the lower and middle classes in this country. Stop-and-frisk, invasive searches for food stamp applicants, traffic stops for people driving-while-black, confiscation of vehicles due to credit card debt, and many other everyday injustices demonstrate the failure of equality under the law — a basic tenet of democratic governance. It is a failure that bodes poorly for our future as a nation. • Cecil Bothwell, author of nine books, including “She Walks On Water: A novel” (Brave Ulysses Books, 2013), is a member of Asheville City Council.
A16 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Commentary ‘Do nothing’ GOP ripped; Dems lauded as doers
A
n old friend wrote me an email reminding me that she was raised “an Evangelical, liberal-hating, NRA-supporting Republican.” Now, she said, she’s terminally disenchanted with Republicans but isn’t ready to become a Democrat. “I don’t want to be under the same roof with all those wacky liberals,” she said. She changed her affiliation to Independent. I won’t comment on her wacky liberals other than to say that indeed, there are liberals who scare me, too – but they don’t scare the beejabbers out of me like the no-government, gun-in-every-pocket wackies on the extreme right. Instead, I want to use this space to argue with my friend at a distance, and with the many others like her closer to home in WNC (190 have gone from GOP to Unaffiliated in my small county) – that they should go all the way over the fence and switch from Republican to Democrat. Today, according to Gallup, 31 percent of Americans consider themselves Democrats; 25 percent, Republican; and 42 percent independent. If the independents are pressed as to how they lean and tend to vote, Democrats and Republicans each add 16 percent, totaling 47 percent ideologically Democrat and 41 percent ideologically Republican. In 1988 the three groups were bunched at 36 percent Democrat, 34 percent independent and 32 percent Republican. The trend is definitely toward voter independence. I only have room for one argument against Republicans’ switching to Unaffiliated rather than switching to Democrat. This is it: Democrats solve problems. Democrats were in power when all the great and positive changes in American life took place: women’s right to vote, Social Security, minimum wage, overtime pay, GI Bill, Medicare, Civil Rights Act, on and on. Democrats passed the Civil Service Act of 1883 to end the spoils system after Republicans had refused for 20 years. I raise a question to those who would switch to Unaffiliated: Which of these actions taken by problem-solving
Lee Ballard Democratic would you do away with? That’s precisely the difference between the parties — Democrats “do.” John Kennedy said it well: “Government is…a precious obligation; and when it has a job to do, I believe it should do it. And this requires not only great ends but that we propose concrete means of achieving them.” That’s the heart of Democratic thinking: first, observe points of pain for the people, then be willing to use government power to relieve the pain. Republicans, on the other hand, find highest virtue in doing nothing. A leading GOP theoretician famously said he wanted government small enough to drown in a bathtub. The Tea Party, now in power, takes the idea to anarchy. Raleigh Republicans downsized state government and then
walked away, leaving counties, school districts – and the people – to pick up the pieces. They’ve created problems where good order existed before them. Republicans believe that government should stay out of the way and let “the market” do what it will. Problem is, the market believes in bonuses for bosses and disposable working people – and for-profit schools. That’s my appeal to the pre-Unaffiliated. Don’t go halfway and express yourself only on Election Day. Join the Democratic Party and work to elect Democratic candidates who will do their best to solve problems. Don’t shrug at GOP disdain for Medicaid recipients, the mentally ill and other areas of society that don’t turn a profit. John Kennedy spoke of the Democratic approach as “not so much a party creed or set of fixed platform promises as it is an attitude of mind and heart, a faith in man’s ability through the experiences of his reason and judgment to increase for himself and his fellow men the amount of justice and freedom and brotherhood which all human life deserves.” May it be so. • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.
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Asheville Daily Planet —June 2014 — A17
Candid Conservative Continued from Page A14
Marijuana is not your friend
One of our culture’s growing line of mythologies centers on the innocence of marijuana. Fun, convenient, and popular — yes — innocent, anything but. Humans have an infinite capacity to twist truth to their personal agenda. For example, it’s true that marijuana is a natural herb with medicinal and pleasure potentials that are not physically addictive. It’s just as true that marijuana is genetically manipulated, suppresses your immunological system, and is very psychologically addictive. Funny how people will run out the door over GMO corn, but puff away on a weed that’s one of the most modified organisms on the planet. Don’t believe it? Ask a child of the ‘60s to compare their pot to today’s five to 10 times more powerful versions. Although the medical values of marijuana are mixed at best, for those who need it, cannabis pills are easily concocted. In the 21st century does anyone really believe smoke is the fitting means to administering a medication? Isn’t the non-physically addictive nature of marijuana just peachy? Unfortunately, the psychological addiction will just as surely steal your soul. How you might ask? Well, consider the reality we are born, more or
Letters
Continued from Page A14 But the electoral process is demeaned, and knowledge of the issues diminished, by “selling” candidates like soap and hemorrhoid ointments in 30- or 60-second spots. Radio and television stations in the United States are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to use the public airwaves for the benefit of the public. They should not be allowed to charge candidates money for air time. They should offer the
less, with the number of brain, muscle and fat cells we have for a lifetime. Those cells grow and shrink and are replaced under some circumstances, but what we start with is pretty much what we live with. It can be argued that the same thing is true with happiness. We get only so many spots of joy and artificially borrowing extra doses today insures matching emptiness tomorrow. Robbing yourself is not a smart play and that is precisely what marijuana or any other short-cut to happiness does. Worse, it feels good to feel extra good and so, for the more vulnerable among us, the temptation to take that short-cut evolves into habit. The more pronounced the feelings, the more addictive the fascination. Life exists on the pages of day-to-day reality. We are charged from our own account every time we step off the parchment. Anything aiding that misguided mission is the opposite of innocent.
This Month’s Whistle Blower — Seven Shades of Blue
If you stand on the left side of things, you are probably a self-recognized advocate for diversity. For witness to the authenticity of that priority, reflect on your reactions to people who think, believe or act outside of your personal standards. In truth, most
time without charge, not as political advertising, but as debates on the issues, and in 15-minute blocks for candidates to make their case for election and re-election. If radio and TV stations are not willing to do this, they should lose their licenses. After all, those licenses are granted to broadcasters who are supposed to use the public airwaves for the benefit of the public, not just for private gain. FRED FLAXMAN Weaverville
people on both ends of the political spectrum reliably function within the narrow parameters of their own comfort zone. A dedication to funky, unique, deviant or nontraditional is not the same thing as enthusiasm for diversity. Picture a conservative speaker attempting to raise their perspective at either Warren Wilson or UNC Asheville. These two bastions of liberalism masquerading as schools of the liberal arts are perfect examples of left-minded “diversity” in action. Is it not just a little bit disconcerting that Asheville, a city priding itself on diversity, has no conservative representation on its governing body? How’s that a problem? Well, for starters, monogamous groups don’t work. The lack of alternative thinking assures stagnancy – much like a pond losing its fresh water source. Asheville’s City Council is comprised of seven shades of blue. All are Democrats and all sport a liberal voting record. For witness to how that’s going to work out, peruse this year’s property tax increase and where your hard earned money was invested. Eagle Street just got another in a long line of multimillion dollar commitments supporting a subsidized housing initiative. A count of the other millions previously poured down that neighborhood drain is a shamelessly ignored community scandal. Same deal on the Haywood Street parking garage demolition. Millions in staff energies, planning docu-
ments, lawyer time, and other rat holes have resulted in a long-sitting taxpayer funded wasteland. The number one job of city government is service – not special interests. When you drive over your next pot hole, come home to a broken door and missing television, or turn your lip down at an ever expanding tax burden, remember diversity does matter. Balanced representation is necessary to — of all things — balance. • (Are you aware of something happening in our community meriting attention? Give us a call or an email at drmumpower@aol.com and we will confidentially expose your concerns to public scrutiny. Bad things grow in the dark — and the Daily Planet has a flashlight.) • Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@aol.com
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A18 — June 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Esoterica
Please make these albums the themes for your life this month, everyone. And listen to the album I found in the stars for you!
Horoscope
Aries (March 21st-April 19th) Your album of the month is Lionel Richie’s “Back to Front.” Taurus (April 20th-May 20th) Your album of the month is Pink Floyd’s “Animals.” Gemini (May 21th-June 20th) Your album of the month is Frank Zappa’s “Guitar.” Cancer (June 21-July 22nd) Your album of the month is The Black Cowes’ “Three Snakes and One Charm.”
Maryanne Morris
Eric Clapton’s “Riding With the King.”
Mascis’ “Several Shades of Why.”
Scorpio (Oct. 23rd-Nov. 21st) Your album of the month is Derek and The Dominos’ “Layla.”
Pisces (Feb. 19th-March 20th) Your album of the month is Leonard Cohen’s “The Best of Leonard Cohen.”
Sagittarius (Nov. 22nd-Dec. 21st) Your album of the month is Van Halen’s “1984.”
Leo (July 23rd-Aug. 22nd) Your album of the month is Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti.” Virgo (Aug. 23rd-Sept. 22nd) Your album of the month is Marc Ford’s “Weary and Wired.”
Capricorn (Dec. 22nd-Jan. 19th) Your album of the month is Cat Stevens’ “Tea for the Tillerman.”
Libra (Sept. 23rd-Oct. 22nd) Your album of the month is BB King and
Aquarius (Jan. 20th-Feb. 18th) Your album of the month is J
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Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 — A19
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A20 —June 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar of Events and Concert Reviews
Bill Kantonen as Frank Sinatra
Doug Hibshman as Sammy Davis Jr.
Gordon Prescott as DEAN MARTIN
Special Section PULLOUT
B1
Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014
Reuter Center Singers Director Chuck Taft sings the Sinatra hit “High Hopes” with his 8-year-old daughter Ceili.
UNCA’s zing, zang, zoom on a swingin’ afternoon Channeling ‘Swoonatra:’ As in ‘Let me see what spring is — on Jupiter and Mars’
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
The May 4 concert “Come Fly With Me,” featuring “favorite tunes” by the Rat Pack, proved to be a joyful trip down memory lane for an-almost-full 200-seat Manheimer Room at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. It was “certainly a terrific turnout” for a Sunday afternoon concert on a sunny and balmy late spring day, emcee Bob Dutnell, RCS president, told the crowd. The free concert also was performed on the evening of May 3. Throughout the show, Dutnell shared bits of biographical, musical and pop culture history with the audience. The 90-minute zing, zang, zoom of a show (with no intermission), included group and solo performances by UNCA’s Reuter Center Singers, directed by Chuck Taft. Piano accompaniment was provided by Nora Vetro. A reception followed the concert. The estimated two-concert turnout was 325 to 350 people, Taft later told the Daily Planet. The show’s highlight was a duet featuring Taft and his daughter Ceili, age 8, singing Frank Sinatra’s 1959 megahit “High Hopes” near the end of the concert. Ceili, dressed in the swing attire of the era and hamming it up to the hilt — egged on by her nearly as dramatic father — brought down the house. After the Tafts’ rendition of “High Hopes” got a sustained ovation, a delighted
File photos
Daily Planet photos by JOHN NORTH
Above are the legendary Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
A jazzy poster touted UNCA’s show.
Taft told the crowd, “Well, we’re almost done. Maybe we should end with that? Am I a lucky Dad or what?” Earlier, Taft noted that his daughter had started singing with the choir when she was a mere 5 years old, joking that she is almost a grownup now.
said words to the effect of “‘You look like a (expletive deleted) rat pack,’” Dutnell said, adding that Baucall later was referred to as the group’s original “den mother.”
Earlier, as the show opened, Dutnell noted that, “You may not have known that Humphrey Bogart was the original ‘rat’ in the Rat Pack.” Actress Lauren Baucall, after seeing her husband Bogart and his friends return from a night in Las Vegas,
See SWINGIN’, Page B6
‘Screaming Eagle of Soul’ soars in superb Pisgah Brewery show By JOHN NORTH john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
BLACK MOUNTAIN — Fueled by a lead singer with a flair for sincere-crackling-gruff vocals, turbocharged choreography and a bottomless bag of theatrics, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires performed a 90-minute set, making believers — in him and his music — out of a crowd of about 300 people during a remarkable outdoor concert on a balmy May 8 evening at Pisgah Brewing Co. As a retro-soul singer carrying the weight of a lifetime of suffering but exuding gratitude, Bradley is definitely straight out of the James Brown-Wilson Pickett school. However, one also could hear and see
dynamics reminiscent of soul greats Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. Behind him, the Extraordinaires — swinging and swaying in unison in classic Motown fashion — were skin-tight, musically. Introduced as “the one and only Screaming Eagle of Soul,” Bradley proclaimed to the audience that he is “a victim of love” — and that his love, which appears deeply genuine, is for his fans. His keyboardist, who was doubled as emcee, noted later that Bradley not only is he a “victim of love,” but also “the director of love,” in that he spreads love around everywhere he goes. And one could add “fun” as a major component of his show, too. The audience appeared delighted, as many swayed to the music, while others joyfully danced. See SCREAMING, Page B7
Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires are shown in action in a recent concert.
B2 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
of
Events
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Please submit items to the Calendar of Events by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via e-mail, at calendar@ashevilledailyplanet. com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 288148490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for an event, call 252-6565.
Sunday, June 1
“GHOSTS” DRAMATIC READING, 2:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Reader’s Theater, Asheville Community Theatre’s Autumn Players presentation of dramatic readings by experienced performers, will feature “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen. The translation is by Christopher Hampton and directed by Anita Chapman. Admission is $5 at the door. MUSICAL PERFORMANCE, 3 p.m., The Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St. Waynesville. Haywood Arts Regional Theatre is celebrating the music of Neil Sedaka with “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” The show also will be performed at 3 p.m. June 8 and 15 and at 7:30 p.m. June 6, 7, 13 and 14. For tickets, which are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for students, call 456-6322 or visit www. harttheatre.org.
Tuesday, June 3
SHAG LESSONS/DANCING, 6:30-10 p.m., Showtime Saloon, 97 Underwood Rd., Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club are offering shag lessons — for free — every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. No partner is needed. Shag dancing will follow from 7 to 10 p.m., with rotating DJs and a $5 cover charge.
Thursday, June 5
GREAT QUOTES PROGRAM, 7-9 p.m., Smoky Mountain Theater, Lake Point Landing, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. Using the Bob Dylan quote, “Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now,” Chris Pollack will speak about how each and every person can take years off one’s actual age and have a better life. His presentation is titled “Be Your Own Rock Star.” Pollack is director of sales and marketing for Embedded Processor Designs. He also is a past president of Asheville Toastmasters and has won a number of awards. Following his 30-minute presentation, an “applied philosophy” discussion on the topic will follow and the program will end with the speaker getting the last word. Admission is $5, with proceeds supporting a general scholarship at Mars Hill University.
Friday, June 6
CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The band Tuxedo Junction will open the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. The Hendersonville Antique Car Club will host a car show in conjunction with the concert. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free. LORETTA LYNN CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Loretta Lynn, a chart-topping, multiple-gold-albumselling American country music singer-songwriter whose work has spanned more than 50 years, will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $55, $50 or $45, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.
Saturday, June 7
RABIES CLINIC, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., parking lots P25 and P26, UNC Asheville. The UNCA Police Department will host a rabies clinic for dogs and cats. The event is open to the public and will include family-friendly activities such as a band performance by The Melons, a band featuring UNCA students, ice cream from The Hop, and a chance for kids to climb aboard Engine No. 7 from the Asheville Fire Department. The clinic also provides a chance to meet UNCA’s beloved mascot Rocky, a rescued white Victorian bulldog. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and the
Asheville Humane Society will be on site with pets to adopt. The clinic will be administered by Appalachian Animal Hospital. Canine rabies shots for one or three years are $10; DAPP or DALPP are $15; and Bordatella is $15. Feline rabies vaccinations for one or three years are $10; and FVRCP/FELV are $20. Dogs must be on a leash at all times, and cats are required to be in carriers. For more information, call 251-6710. BREVARD BLUES FESTIVAL, 3 p.m., Brevard Music Center, Brevard. The family-friendly Brevard Blues Festival will include eight hours of blues music, barbecue and brews, with on-site food from Rollin’ Smoke Barbecue. The band lineup will include Doug Deming, Dennis Gruenling and The Jewel Tones, Anson Funderburgh, the Shane Pruitt Band, Dangerous Gentlemen, The Dubber, Riyen Roots and others. For tickets, visit brevardmusic. org, or call 862-2100.
Sunday, June 8
REO SPEEDWAGON CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Greeneville, Tenn. The musical group REO Speedwagon will perform in concert. Fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin, REO rode to the top of the charts in the early 1970s with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles. For tickets, which are $55 or $65, visit www.npacgreeneville.com
Tuesday, June 10
LIBERTARIAN MEETING, 7 p.m., Oakleaf Furniture, 130 Miller St., downtown Waynesville. The Haywood County Libertarian Party meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Open discussion and debate are encouraged with all perspectives and persuasions welcomed, regardless of political or religious affiliation.
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Thursday, June 12
13TH AMENDMENT TOUR, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Vance Birthplace, Weaverville. A tour of the fragile 13th Amendment document ending slavery will arrive locally for a one-day showing. Many AfricanAmericans consider Juneteenth (June 19) the date in 1865 when the last slaves learned that the 13th Amendment had been passed — and they were free. As part of the observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, North Carolina’s copy of the 13th Amendment is being transported to six historic sites between June 5 and 21, under the auspices of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment on Jan. 31, 1865, and ratified it on Dec. 6, 1865. Southern states had to ratify the amendment to be readmitted to the union, and it took the N.C. legislature exactly 10 years to do so, on Dec. 6, 1875. The state’s copy of the document is stored in a climate-controlled vault of the State Archives of North Carolina. It was on exhibit last summer at the N.C. Museum of History, but this will be the first time the document has traveled outside of Raleigh.
Friday, June 13
BARBECUE/MUSIC FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Harmon Field, Tryon. The 21st Annual BBQ & Music Festival will be held during the same hours June 13 and June 14. Besides barbecue and music, features will include rides and arts and crafts. The gala is billed as “one of the most popular sanctioned barbecue competitions in the United States.” Among the June 13 bands will be the A.J. Ghent Band, the Whiskey Gentry, and the Randall Bramblett Band. The Danberrys will play on both June 13 and 14. The other June 14 bands will include Lukas Nelson and P.O.T.R. (Promise of the Real), and The Honeycutters. No pets, coolers or backpacks will be allowed. All bags will be subject to inspection. Admission is free for everyone on June 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. At all other times, adult tickets are $8, with children 12 and under admitted free. RIVERMUSIC CONCERT, 5-10 p.m., Sculpture and Performance Plaza, River Arts District, Riverside Drive (along the French Broad River), Asheville. Americana and Roots night will feature the United Kingdom’s Treetop Flyers and River Whyless. Gates open at 5 p.m. Each show in the series features a beer from different breweries and food trucks. Admission is free.
See CALENDAR, Page B3
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Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 — B3
The Treetop Flyers, a London-based folk-rock band, will perform during the season’s first RiverMusic concert, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m. June 13 at the Sculpture and Performance Plaza (along the French Broad River) in Asheville’s River Arts District. The opener will be River Whyless, a baroquefolk quartet from Asheville.
Calendar of Events Continued from Page B2
Saturday, June 14
CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The band Wishful Thinkin’ will perform at the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. A car show will be held in conjunction with the concert. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free. 38 SPECIAL CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. The musical Southern rock group 38 Special, which has been together for more than 30 years, will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $40 or $35, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.
Saturday, June 14
BUS TRIP TO RIGHTS MUSEUM, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., rear parking lot, Central Office, Housing Authority of Asheville Central Office, 165 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville. A roundtrip to and from the International Civil Rights Center & Museums in Greensboro (the former F.W. Woolworth building) will be offered. Boarding will begin 6:30 a.m., with the bus leaving at 7 a.m. One stop will be made for breakfast on the road — and lunch will be at Williams Cafeteria on North Carolina A&T’s campus. Tickets are $60, including transportation and admission only. Meals are at each rider’s expense. For more information, contact William Edward Young Jr., N.C. A&T Chapter President, 251-2964. STUDIO STROLL, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., River Arts District, Asheville. The RAD Studio Stroll will include working artists’ studios in 22 historic buildings along the French Broad River. Throughout the weekend, artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities will be offered. Admission is free.
Sunday, June 15
ETHICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM, 2-3:30 p.m., Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd. (near UNC Asheville), Asheville. “Fifty Years Later:
Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement” will be presented by Carol Rogoff Hallstrom, public interest attorney and community activist. Hallstrom will share her thoughts regarding the unique perspective of the SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and the role of organizing and crises in creating social change. Since her retirement to Asheville in 2009, Hallstrom has accepted an appointment by Asheville City Council to the Citizens’ Police Advisory Committee and an appointment by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council. She has been both a participant and a facilitator at Building Bridges, is an active participant in Changing Together and a member of the planning committee of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism. A discussion period will follow Cox’s presentation. After the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome.
Tuesday, June 17
WORKSHOP, 2 p.m., Room 104, Highsmith University Union, UNC Asheville. A workshop, “Generating, Deepening, and Documenting Learning through Critical Reflection in Service-Learning,” will be led by Patti Clayton. Admission is $75. For information and registration, visit keycenter. unca.edu or keyctr@unca.edu.
Thursday, June 19
OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5 p.m., Azalea Parking Lot, between 3rd and 4th Avenues along King Street, downtown Hendersonville. The monthly Rhythm & Brews summer concert series will feature the band Balsam Range. Admission is free. WORKSHOP, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A workshop, “Advance Care Planning,” will feature a panel with members experienced in addressing end-of-life issues, such as treatment wishes, ethical and legal issues and the uses of advance directives. Admission is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B4
B4 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
Continued from Page B4
PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., meadow adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. The string band Crooked Pine will perform. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free.
Friday, July 4
Calendar Events Continued from Page B3
lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free.
DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 STREET FEST, 5-9 p.m., North Lexington Avenue at the Interstate 240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The 26th annual Downtown After 5 monthly street festival will feature Southern rockers Drivin’ N Cryin’, with American Aquarium serving as the opener. Besides live music, the street concert also will feature a wide selection of local and national beers and food. CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The Emporium Band will perform during the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. A car show will be held in conjunction with the concert. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. Concerts will be featured at 8 p.m. June 20 and 21 in connection to the 3rd Annual Asheville Percussion Festival. For tickets, which are $25 per concert, visit www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/tickets.
OPERA TALK, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Opera Talks at OLLI will feature an Asheville Lyric Opera Summer Artists’ Training Program performance. Admission is free. CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. Asheville’s 96.5 Band will perform during the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. A car show in conjunction with the concert. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free. “OKLAHOMA” PERFORMANCE, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. The musical “Oklahoma” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. June 27, June 28 and July 5, and at 4 p.m. June 29, July 4 and July 6. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, is widely viewed as their most innovative. “Oklahoma” is widely viewed as having set the standards and established the rules of musical theater still being followed today. Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. For tickets, which are $10 for students and $15 for adults, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com.
Tuesday, June 24
PETER, PAUL (AND NO MARY) CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Brevard Music Center, Brevard. Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, two-thirds of the famed folk-music group Peter, Paul and Mary, will perform in concert. They will perform, among othes, “Puff (the Magic Dragon),” “Lemon Tree” and “If I Had a Hammer.” For tickets, visit brevardmusic.org, or call 862-2100.
Thursday, June 26
MORAL MOVIE, 7 p.m., Jubilee, 46 Wall St., downtown Asheville. The Moral Movies series will screen “Freedom Summer. Admission is free. PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., in meadow adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. Kellin Watson, a nationally touring singersongwriter, will perform. Her award-winning sound blends elements of blues, pop, folk and soul. She hails from Asheville. Attendees are urged to bring
Events
Thursday, July 3
Southern rock group Drivin’ N Cryin’ will be the featured band during the Downtown After 5 street fest from 5 to 9 p.m. June 20 on North Lexington Avenue at the I-240 bypass. The opener will be the band American Aquarium.
Friday, June 20
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Friday, June 27
CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. Tom Brown/One Man Band will perform in what is billed as a “Special Fourth of July Celebration Concert” as part of the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free.
Thursday, July 10
PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., in meadow adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. The five-piece band Dashboard Blue will perform “timeless dance grooves.” The Asheville-based group’s musical influences include the Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, The Eagles, The Beatles, Motown, James Taylor, Stevie Ray Vaughn, James Brown and many others . Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free.
Friday, July 11
RIVERMUSIC CONCERT, 5-10 p.m., Sculpture and Performance Plaza, River Arts District, Riverside Drive (along the French Broad River), Asheville. The featured act will be The Billy Sea, performing bluegrass music. The opener will be artist River Guerguerian, who will appear with the Jeff Sipe Global Percussion Ensemble, Robert Mangum and Parrish Ellis. Gates open at 5 p.m. Each show in the series features a beer from different breweries and
food trucks. Admission is free. CONCERT/DANCE, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The Night Crawlers band will perform during the weekly Music on Main Street summer concert-dance series. A Corvette car show will be held in conjunction with the concert. Concert attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. No pets, alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers are allowed. Admission is free.
Thursday, July 17
OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5 p.m., Azalea Parking Lot, between 3rd and 4th Avenues along King Street, downtown Hendersonville. The monthly Rhythm & Brews summer concert series will feature the band The Fritz. Admission is free. PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., in meadow adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. The Asheville-based band The Broadcast will perform. The group is billed as “a hard-edged, soulful rock music group. Drawing much of their ambience from ‘70s classic rock, they’re a band with an explosive female lead singer, riffing guitar, mood-altering keys and a rock-solid rhythm section. A dynamic ensemble known for their powerful live performances, The Broadcast continues to break new ground across the country with vocal powerhouse Caitlin Krisko leading every step of the way.” Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free.
Friday, July 18
See CALENDAR, Page B5
We will be closed Monday, June 2nd, through Wednesday, June 4th, for a remodel. Reopening the evening of Thursday, June 5th. Thanks for your patience and we hope you like what we've done with the place! Every Monday is Trivia Night
DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 STREET FEST, 5-9 p.m., N. Lexington Ave. at the Interstate 240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The 26th annual Downtown After 5 monthly street festival will feature Hayes Carll, who has performed at such major festivals as Bonnaroo and South by Southwest, with Chatham County Line, a traditional bluegrass band, serving as the opener. Besides live music, the street concert also will feature a wide selection of local and national beers and food.
Come compete for fantastic prizes Starts at 9 p.m.
Tuesday night is Blues Jam Music and dancing starts at 10 p.m. Every Wednesday is Brewery Night, where we feature an array of high quality micro-brewed beers. “Buy a Pint, Keep the Glass!”
6/05 (Thursday) Oskar Blues Brewery 6/11 - Highland Brewing Co.
Saturday, June 28
SHINDIG ON THE GREEN, 7-10 p.m., Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, Pack Square Park, 121 College St., downtown Asheville. The 48th Shindig on the Green, featuring a stage show and informal jam sessions of old-time and bluegrass music, will be held. Also, dancers, singers and storytellers will perform. Attendees are urged to bring blankets and lawnchairs. No dogs, alcohol or smoking are permitted in the park. The event also will be held on July 5, 12, 19 and Aug. 9, 16, 23 and 30. Admission is free.
Asheville Daily Planet — June 2014 — B5
6/18 - Southern Tier Brewing Co. 6/25 - Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Saturdays and Sundays brunch starts at 10:30 and goes till we run out. All-you-can-eat breakfast plus a full menu and omelette specials.
Everyday lunch and dinner specials!
Sunday mornings Carolina Cinemas
Hendersonville Rd. • Asheville
10:30 a.m. Please come to be with us! Visit us online at dnachurch.org or call or text us at the number above.
We offer 27 beers on tap, a full liquor bar, freshly made eclectic food items with locally sourced ingredients, 2 pool tables, shuffleboard, foosball, video games, full service patio, a wide variety of sports on our 11’ screen and a kid-friendy (till 10pm), dog-friendly (on the patio) great time.
Music Schedule
6/19 George Terry 6/21 Blue Dawg
6/28 Mojomatic
7/05 One Leg Up
Indie Rock
Blues, swing, R & B, & jump swing Blues Gypsy Jazz
777 Haywood Road West Asheville 828-225-9782 www.westvillepub.com
B6 - June 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Swingin’
As for Davis, who was a singer, dancer, actor, musician, impressionist and author, Dutnell noted that he was born in 1925 in New York City. He died in 1990. Davis’ Continued from Page B1 parents were “very successA number of famous acful” Vaudeville performers tors and singers were memand got their son performbers of the early Rat Pack, ing on stage at age 3. As including Sinatra (from the an African-American, he start), and even Marilyn broke many racial barriers in Monroe and several other show business, Dutnell said. women. Interestingly, Dean During his service in the Martin and Sammy Davis U.S. Army, Davis overcame Jr. were not original Rat racial prejudice by joining Pack members. the entertainment unit. Later, By the mid-1960s, in his professional career, the Rat Pack referred Davis (along with Sinatra to by the news media and Martin) refused to play and the public included in venues that practiced segSinatra, Martin, Davis, regation, opening the doors Joey Bishop and Peter to integration because he Lawford. They appeared was so much in demand. together on stage and in Davis was involved in a several films in the early serious automobile accident 1960s, such as “Ocean’s in 1954 and lost his left eye Eleven.” as a result, “but that didn’t Chuck Taft sings “High In later years, the Rat stop him,” Dutnell said. Hopes” with daughter Ceili, Moreover, while recuperPack reference came to mean Sinatra, Martin and who stands on a box. ating, he was visited by Davis, who often pera rabbi and converted to formed together, particularly in Las Vegas. Judaism. He went on to wow audiences as a The marqees at various Las Vegas hotels member of the Rat Pack. would even advertise: “DEAN MARTIN Obviously, the show could not feature all — MAYBE FRANK — MAYBE SAMof the top songs by the three Rat Pack singers, MY.” but the omission of Davis’ signature song, Regarding Sinatra, Dutnell, the emcee, “Mr. Bojangles,” constituted a major oversaid “Ol’ Blue Eyes” was born in his home in sight. (Perhaps the decision-makers excluded Hoboken, N.J., in 1915. He died in 1998. The “Mr. Bojangles” because Jerry Jeff Walker birth of Francis Albert Sinatra was traumatic, performed it originally.) conducted in the kitchen and overseen by a As the show opened, Dutnell noted that, in midwife. Eventually, a doctor was called, who 1957, Sinatra “had a hit record” with “Come used a pair of forceps to remove Sinatra, apFly With Me,” written by Sammy Kahn, a parently dead, and placed the infant’s body on prolific lyricist, songwriter and musician, besta table, and then turned his efforts to save the known for his romantic lyrics to films and mother’s life. However, one of the midwife’s Broadway shows. Sinatra recorded nearly 90 helpers ran ice cold water over the baby and of Kahn’s songs, the emcee said. slapped it on its back, and Sinatra — who The 40-some voice choir then launched into went on to make an indelible mark on history a medley of Sinatra songs, including “Come — sprang to life. The forceful use of the metal Fly With Me,” “(Love Is) The Tender Trap” forceps tore the left side of his face, neck and and “Time After Time.” ear. Throughout his vastly documented life, he Next were featured solos by Bill Kantonen, would avoid being photographed from his left, who had his way with Sinatra’s 1969 hit “My Dutnell noted. Way;” Gordon Prescott, singing Martin’s 1960 Perhaps because of the trauma of his birth, version of “You’re Nobody Til Somebody his mother (Dolly) doted on him and pushed Loves You;” and Doug Hibshman, performing her son in his singing career — and Sinatra Davis’ 1972 hit “The Candy Man.” was always close to his mother, the emcee Of the three soloists, Prescott outperformed said. “Bing Crosby influenced him (Sinatra) a the others, sounding reasonably close to great deal to be a singer... Like Dean MarMartin. Prescott made a gallant effort, replitin, he (Sinatra) quit school early.” Sinatra cating — to some degree — Martin’s deep recorded nearly 1,200 songs during his long tremelo, described by some critics as “smooth career. “He was strong-willed and was used to as melted butter,” and Martin’s cocksure ingetting things his way.” nuendo delivery: “People say I’m a problem The song “My Way,” Dutnell said, was drinker — I’ve got no problem drinking!” written by singer Paul Anka for his friend Prescott quipped, using a classic Martin joke. Sinatra, but Anka’s record company wanted The audience laughed, appreciatively. him to sing it instead. However, Anka firmly From a distance, Kantonen had the look of an older Sinatra, with his hat correctly cocked said that only Sinatra “could sing it properly” (Sinatra used to say, “Cock your hat — angles because it embodied his ethos. Indeed, “My are attitudes”) and he was mostly on-key. Way” became Sinatra’s signature song. However, who can match Sinatra, arguably the Concerning Martin, nicknamed “the king greatest male pop singer in history, who was of cool,” Dutnell said he was born to Italian known as “The Voice?” Alas, like most mere immigrants as Dino Paul Crocetti in 1917 mortals, Kantonen’s voice lacked the strength in Steubenville, Ohio. He died in 1995. The and dynamism of Sinatra’s, but it was adequate singer changed his name to Dean Martin for the occasion. while touring in 1940. The emcee noted that Aside from the performance of “High Martin dropped out of school in 10th grade Hopes,” the most amusing moment of and worked odd jobs, including a part-time the concert belonged to Hibshman, who job as an amateur welterweight boxer. At age 17, he began singing in Ohio nightclubs. Mar- is white and did not move around much (if at all). He was Taft’s draft choice for tin later spent about a decade performing as the straight man with Jerry Lewis in a comedy Davis, who was black, lithe and a veritable whirling dervish on stage. (The group has duo. Later, Martin returned to singing, acted no black male members.) In “The Candy in a number of films and had his own televiMan,” one of the easier songs of the show sion show for nearly 10 years. One of the highlights of Martin’s career was to sing, Hibshman began so off-key that, after a few bars, he asked — with a laugh the success of his song “Everybody Loves — for “a restart,” saying Davis and the Somebody,” a decidedly easy-listening song, song deserve better. which in the midst of Beatlemania and the The second time around, Hibshman was British Invasion, zoomed to No. 1 in May a bit better, but there probably never has 1964 on the pop music charts, Dutnell noted. been sung a more off-key version of “The Sinatra and others had recorded versions of the song before Martin did, but theirs were not Candy Man.” However, given that the singers are not professionals and the concert nearly as successful.
was done in fun, most everyone laughed, good-heartedly, during the song ... and applauded when it was — finally — over. At that point, Taft, the director, took the microphone and interjected that Hibshman did not volunteer for the Davis part. “When I asked Doug (Hibshman) to sing the song (‘The Candyman’), he said, ‘Who, me?’ We appreciate him being such a good sport.” Prior to the performance of “The Candy Man,” Dutnell said that, “at age 42, in 1972, Sammy — incredibly — had not had a hit song.” So, he added, it was a thrill for Davis “for three straight weeks in ‘72, when he had a No. 1 song” on the charts. After each soloist sang, the Reuter Center Singers (in various configurations) sang other well-known songs by each Rat Pack member, respectively. For Sinatra, the other songs included “Luck Be a Lady,” “Something’s Gotta Give” and “It Was a Very Good Year,” the latter of which was performed by Don Seward’s Quartet. For Martin, the other songs included “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?” “Standing on the Corner” and “All of Me.” For Davis, the other songs included “A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” “The Birth of the Blues” and “The Rhythm of Life.” A sing-along later
in the show included “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” “Strangers in the Night,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “That’s Amoré,” “Young at Heart,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York.” The group finished with a medley — “Let’s Fall in Love: A Tribute to Cole Porter” — that included “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love),” “Night and Day,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” and “Just One of Those Things.”
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Screaming
Continued from Page B1 Indeed, Bradley’s story is quintessentially American: a man, who, against-all-odds, rose from a tough life of overcoming abandonment as a child, homelessness, heartache, illiteracy and a lifetime of poverty, despite a series of unfulfilling day jobs. After many years of moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator under the name of “Black Velvet” at Brooklyn clubs, Bradley was discovered by Daptone Records’ Gabriel Roth. After signing with Daptone, he released his first LP, “No Time for Dreaming,” at age 62. He is also the subject of a much-heralded documentary, “Soul of America,” that premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, in 2012. During a three-song encore at Black Mountain, Bradley, now 65, sang the first two numbers that included a rendition of Clarence Carter’s 1967 hit “Slip Away” (the only cover he performed at the show), as well as his mind-blowing signature song, an extended version of “Why Is It So Hard (to Make It in America).” Bradley then left the stage and approached the cheering crowd, enthusiastically sharing hugs and greetings, as the band played “Riot,” a 1969 instrumental by South African musician-singer-composer Hugh Masekela. Unquestionably, the highlight of the concert was Bradley’s performance of “Why Is It So Hard,” a
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Bradley sings from his heart.
song that is billed as his autobiography. The song begins: “Why is it so hard To make it in America I try so hard To make it in America A land of milk and honey, A land supposed to be built with love It take love and understanding To live and let live.” During the song, he broke from the regular lyrics to share his religious and humanitarian bent, noting that his spiritual strength helped him get through hard times. Bradley said he is “a believer,” and that there are “believers” in the audience, but “I know some of you are nonbelievers.” While some in the beer-drinking, music-grooving audience may have
been feeling a bit uncomfortable with Bradley’s sermonizing, a fan brought smiles and laughter when he yelled back, “I believe YOU, Charles!” Continuing, Bradley said, “But I believe each of you has a heart....” The band played on, as he further discussed the need for love and peace in the world, concluding, “All we need is love.” Bradley’s superb eight-piece band, all clad in black coats and black trousers (and some wearing ties), included two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, a keyboardist, an organist, a saxophonist and trumpeter. Several of the band members also provided backup vocals. Bradley, who dressed in a colorful style, left the stage to change his flashy attire at least three times during the show while the band played instrumentals. Throughout the show, Bradley’s stagecraft was superb — and he appeared to be giving his all. At times, he would fall to his knees, pleading his love into the microphone, and at other times, lay on his back hoisting the microphone stand like bar bells, as he belted out some poignant lyrics. He did near-splits in bell bottoms, “the robot” on occasion and even some swan moves. Besides his “Why Is It So Hard,” he also performed some outstanding upbeat songs, including “Ain’t No Time for Dreaming,” as well as “You Put the Flame on It,” a rollicking romantic song reminiscent of the late-great Carolina beach music band General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board.
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