The Zombies bring Brit Invasion to the Peel
2 experts predict stronger economy — See Story, Pg. A2
— See Concert Review, Pg. B1
The Zombies circa mid-’60s
Probe prompts 95-voter purge — See Story, Pg. A4
ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
May 2014
Vol. 10, No. 6
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com
Moogfest electrifies
FREE
Disinvited governor shows up By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Zeds Dead, a Canadian electronic music duo from Toronto, Ontario, performs April 26 at the Broadway Stage near downtown Asheville during Moogfest.
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
All doc and no action
Q: I’ve been going to the same primary care doctor for a few years. I’m very attracted to him, and I believe he’s attracted to me, too. There’s always been a dynamic between us. I thought it was his “bedside manner,” but when I asked others, they didn’t have the same experience with him. I know he isn’t married. Also, I am very healthy and only see him annually for “well checks.” Do you have any advice on whether I should do anything? — Patiently Waiting Want to know the answer?
See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A10
Special photo by
The duo features Dylan Mamid, or DC, and Zach Rapp-Rovan, or Hooks. A feature story on Moogfest appears on Page B1.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s scheduled — and then canceled — appearance at the April 23 opening panel of Moogfest was widely criticized by pundits as a political fumble by the organizers, for an event that otherwise went off smoothly and was widely labeled a major successs. Undeterred, McCrory pulled a surprise by attending an opening-day Moogfest VIP pool party — to which he said he was invited — on the roof of The Aloft Asheville Downtown Hotel. He also later freely wandered around the downtown streets, reportedly with no hassles from protesters, savoring in Gov. Pat McCrory the arts, technology and ideas festival. McCrory’s office said the governor was first invited, then uninvited. Meanwhile, Moog eventually said it regretted the “miscommunication.” Organizers were said to have panicked over the mounting furor on social media, promising a protest if the Republican governor came to Asheville for Moogfest. See GOVERNOR, Page A8
City to crack the whip on graffiti By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Asheville City Council on April 22 approved a battle plan to spend up to $300, beginning July 1, to combat graffiti vandalism. The plan was approved 6-1, with Councilman Cecil Bothwell casting the negative vote. Bothwell said he was dubious that the program would work and did not like the idea of making private property owners pay for cleanup. Other council members said that, while they were not entirely happy with the plan, something must be done at once to address Asheville’s burgeoning graffiti problem and that this was the best idea at the moment. The plan includes removing graffiti as soon as possible, instituting civil penalties for vandals, in addition to criminal ones, and asking the state General Assembly to toughten criminal graffiti laws. Also, the city will cover 90 percent of the cost of removing graffiti from private property July 1-Sept. 30. After that, the responsibility passes to the property owners. If they don’t keep their properties graffiti-free, the city will do the job and charge the owners. In addition, the city vowed to step up efforts to remove graffiti from public property, as well as continuing education and enforcement. A controversial element, which was discussed in detail at a recent meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners, focused on the question of why property owners should have to
pay to clean up graffiti vandalism. (A story on the heated CIBO graffiti discussion appears on Page A9). Conversely, city officials have said that the property-owners must pay because the city cannot afford to cover it — unless it increased taxes on everyone’s property, an option council did not favor. Boiling over at Asheville’s graffiti “artists,” John Boyle wrote in his April 27 column in the Asheville Citizen-Times, “It just amazes me that some residents are still calling for more understanding of the graffiti ‘artists,’ more leniency, more places for them to ‘express themselves’ because they have no other place to do so. “I’d say by and large they’re expressing a bunch of infantile scribbles on other people’s property, including another artist’s work, which strikes me as incredibly disrespectful. “Plus, doesn’t someone’s right to expression end where someone else’s property starts? What if the ‘artist’ chose to express himself by bashing holes in the siding with a sledgehammer? “The resulting pattern could be viewed as ‘artistic expression’ of a sort, even ‘art’ by some standards. “And by all standards it would be damage to property, a crime. That’s the crux here: If someone paints on your property without your permission, they’re damaging your property, and that’s a crime. “It’s not complicated, and it’s not ‘artistic expresssion,” Boyle concluded. See GRAFFITI, Page A9
A2 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Faster growth predicted after 5 years of slow recovery By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Why is the United States still experiencing a slow economic recovery five years after the Great Recession was declared officially over by economists? The aforementioned question, raised at the beginning of the program by emcee and UNC Asheville economics professor Joe Sulock, was the focus of more than a little speculation during the 30th annual UNCA James F. Smith David W. Berson Economic Crystal Ball seminar April 17 in Crystal Ball (series) has become a phenomthe school’s Lipinsky Auditorium. enal tradition” in Western North Carolina. As the seminar progressed, two ecoHe added that, in the spirit of a “‘thrownomic forecasters, James F. Smith and David W. Berson, shared their views on the back Thursday,’ in 1984 Apple introduced a good, bad and ugly of a sluggish-but-steady Macintosh computer, the marathon was won by a Brit, the soundtrack from ‘Footloose’ recovery that has yet to reach even the average annual growth and has been widely unseated ‘Thriller.’ My personal favorite, is OJ Simpson starred” in a car commercial. characterized as a “jobless recovery.” After a pause, Sulock said, “History tells And, on the bright side, both analysts us a diversified portfolio would have served predicted — given current trends — faster one well” over the past 30 years. growth in the economy, albeit nothing of As for this year’s program, he said the major magnitude. purpose was to give “the business and After welcoming guests to the seminar, financial outlook through 2015.” Sulock, founder of UNCA’s Crystal Ball seSulock also asserted, “A number of isries, noted that there are “a lot of interesting sues come to mind. For example, we’re althings happening in the economy... We’re legedly having a recovery.. Why’s it taking allegedly having a recovery. It’s legitimate so long to recover? We have a new leader to ask why it’s not recovering very fast.” of the Fed (Janet Yellen) .... I understand Smith, chief economist with Asheville’s the Fed is thinking about low inflation. It’s Parsec Financial, said that in the widest of an economic malaise that’s affected Japan contexts, the situation is not as bleak as it for many years.... might appear. Specifically, he said, “Bot“Regarding short-term rates, to use a line tom line — if we had daily seasonal date from an old ZZ Top song, ‘I’m Not Asking on world economic activity, today would for Much.’” (To the crowd’s delight, the be the best day in the history of the world, and tomorrow would be better. Is it perfect? economics professor admitted to being a fan of ZZ Top.) Of course not.” At that point, Sulock said, “We’re for(Smith’s employer, Asheville-based Partunate to have with us tonight Jim Smith sec, hosted the event, along with UNCA. and Dave Berson, who are definitely two Parsec is billed as North Carolina’s largest eeconomists extraordinaire. While these private wealth management firm.) guys aren’t perfect, they’re, indeed, very, “The bad news?” Smith asked, rhetorivery good.” cally. “We’re having the slowest expansion Speaking first was Berson, who is a (in the U.S. economy) in 110 years. You’d graduate of Williams College and went to have to go to the 1880s to see a worse ecograduate school at the University of Michinomic expansion.” gan, where he earned a masters in public Berson, chief economist for Nationpolicy and a doctorate in wide Financial, added that, although the economics. “He worked for American economy has been ravaged by Wharton Economics, which an unusually cold, snowy and icy winter, is like having played for consumers and businesses should soon catch up on weather-delayed spending. “By any standard, this has been the weakest (U.S.) expansion ever,” Berson said. “But there is something to Published monthly by look forward to. We expect the Star Fleet Communications Inc. economy to pick up to around JOHN NORTH the average rate of growth of Publisher around 3 percent.” Phone: (828) 252-6565 • Fax: (828) 252-6567 Berson added, “We project Mailing address: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 Website: www.ashevilledailyplanet.com an average monthly gain of 210,000 (jobs) per month in E-mail the following departments: News: news@ashevilledailyplanet.com 2014” — the fastest pace in Letters to the Editor: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com a slow recovery that’s five Display Advertising: advertising@ashevilledailyplanet.com years old. Classified line ads: classads@ashevilledailyplanet.com “Also, look for the Federal Circulation: circulation@ashevilledailyplanet.com Reserve to slowly increase Publisher: publisher@ashevilledailyplanet.com historically low interest rates. To subscribe to the Asheville Daily Planet, A zero rate federal funds rate is send check or money-order to: not sustainable,” Berson said. P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 Earlier in the seminar, One-year local subscription Sulock said that when UNCA (Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., only)..............................$35 staged its first Crystal Ball One-year out of area subscription Forum in 1984, Ronald Rea(outside of Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., gan was going into his second but inside the United States).........................................................$50 term as president and the One-year outside U.S. subscription Dow Jones stock index was (outside U.S.)..................................................................................$100 at 1,157. Copyright 2011 by Asheville Daily Planet. Advertising copyright Thirty years — and four 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without presidents — later, the Dow written permission is prohibited. The Asheville Daily Planet is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per perJones average closed at son. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 per copy, payable at 16,409 on April 17. the ADP office in advance. No person may, without prior permission, take more than one copy of each issue. Sulock noted that “the
the New York Yankees; Fannie Mae, and he is presently senior vice president and chief economist at Nationwide Insurance,” Sulock noted. “As an economist he was honored for being the top forecaster for the Wall Street Journal. He expressed concerns about the housing market — about 12 months before the entire housing market collapsed. “He also has had an interest — dare I say passion — for baseball. He said he is constantly humbled by the bad forecasts he sees in economics and baseball,” Sulock said of Berson. On a lighter note, Berson said, “I do remember that Wall Street Journal article, but there’s one I remember even better — that was when I was on the front of USA Today’s sports page. They had a story on fantasy baseball. I had to admit to them that my thick briefcase mainly had information valuing baseball players. I think the models we had for valuing baseball players” were better than than those for economics. “OK, what’s going with the economy?” he asked. He noted that “real GDP (gross domestic product) growth” provides “a great thumbnail of the whole economy — plus, when you get an economics degree, you have to promise you’ll always talk about GDP.” The crowd laughed. His presentation showed the recovery — to date — with “four bars upward, but none of them reaching 3 percent. This is the worst recovery ever.” However, Berson said his date shows “there is something to look forward... the blue bars (2014-2018)... at or around the 3 percent rate” for the next few years. Unemployment is close to 7 percent, he said, “so the economy could in fact grow much fast now, but it’s not. The good news is all the blue bars are higher than all the bars during the Great Recession.” However, Berson warned, “When we get first-quarter GDP numbers, it’s going to be atrocious. Many of you know it’s been a cold winter. People went out and shoveled snow a lot — and huddled in their homes.
They did not go out and shop... We may see GDP growth of half of 1 percent. Almost all of that slowdown in the economy came from the bad weather. “The economy really looked like it was picking up in the third quarter of last year, until December, when the weather got really bad. A lot of activity that could have happened early in the year, will probably happen in April and May,” Berson said. “The trend growth in the economy is probably between the two and moving upward. Maybe 2.5 percent. Second half of the year, we may see growth around 3 percent and that’s we expect to see for the next two or three years. Speaking second, Smith agreed with Berson’s assessment that the first quarter GDP number is going to be week. “Two weeks from yesterday, the consensus is 1.9 percent... So some number between 0.5 and 2.3 percent is what’s going to show up. It’s becoming clear that it’s because of the weather.” Smith added, “We haven’t had a 3 percent year in a decade, so we’re overdue. If we reach 3 percent (GDP) for this year, that would be good not just for the United States, but for the world economy.”
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95 names purged from voter rolls
By LESLEE KULBA
news@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Ninety-five names were purged from the Buncombe County voter rolls in April. The 95 had survived a preliminary hearing questioning the legitimacy of 182 names. The Raleigh-based Voter Integrity Project presented the names to the local board of elections after Asheville Tea Party members sent letters and knocked on doors at addresses that looked suspicious. In particular, the addresses selected — if the voter registrations were to be believed — housed at least eight registered voters. The door-knocking commenced after about 300 letters of inquiry were returned as undeliverable. At a preliminary hearing at the board of elections, 87 names were dismissed. Fifty-five of them were dismissed immediately. Jay DeLancy, executive director of VIP-NC, says he still cannot get over the bad logic. He recalled Bob Knapp, who serves as secretary to the board, making a motion to dismiss on the basis that “they are all active voters, therefore they’re not breaking the law.” DeLancy said he tried to clarify. The 55 were the most important cases, because the suspect names were actually tied to
votes. DeLancy argued he is not off-base, saying ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform) in its prime had been found guilty of creating fictitious voters, who wound up voting. The 95 names that were then sustained were all removed from the rolls following a second hearing. Letters were sent to the suspicious addresses, advising the registered voters that they or their agents must verify their leJay DeLancy gitimacy on a date certain or reregister should they wish to vote again. Nobody showed up. In early April, prompted by the Voter Integrity Project, the North Carolina State Board of Elections presented a report with evidence that more than 35,000 people who voted in North Carolina’s 2012 general election had the same name and birthdate as voters registered in another state. There were also 765 voters who matched Social Security numbers in addition to first and last names and birth date with someone who voted in another state. DeLancy ex-
pressed concerned that there was nothing but the honor system preventing these people from double-voting. The VIP has been called racist. Leadership from the League of Women Voters and the local Democratic Party argued the names in question were selected from only 11 of 80 voter precincts. The 11 districts, they argued, had disproportionately high numbers of low-income and African-American voters. As it turned out, 127 of the 182 suspect registrants claimed to be white and only 79 were Democrat. But that was not enough to stop the activists. Challengers charged that if the VIP was not discriminating against the low-income and African-American communities, they were certainly intimidating their voters. “That’s the LWV narrative about people potentially stealing votes. They want to paint us as extreme, when the fact is our state laws are such that anybody can commit election fraud and have a good chance of getting away with it,” DeLancy said. DeLancy said he thinks the efforts he and others are making in the state to reduce voter fraud are paying off. Earlier this month, Kim Strach of the state Board of Elections issued an emergency do-not-destroy order for voting records to all counties. Without it, current investigations into voter fraud would be impossible after September.
Pack Place lease extended; clash continues
By LESLEE KULBA
news@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
The Pack Place Board of Trustees on April 9 agreed to accept an offer from Asheville City Council to extend Pack Place’s current lease for 60 days to allow more time to possibly work out problems between the two parties. The move came as board supporters and council critics John Miall and Ken Michalove continued to make appearances at council meetings with complaints about the city’s relationship with the Asheville Art Museum. After council conferred on the lease issue late April 8, Vice Mayor Marc Hunt, who serves as council’s liaison to the Pack Place board, recommended accepting the city’s lease extension offer. During that time, the city expects Pack Place’s subtenants to work out the legal details of separate leases to be signed directly with the city. The current subtenants are the Asheville Art Museum, the Diana Wortham Theatre and the Coburn Earth Science Museum. Under the city’s plan, Pack Place’s board
would be reduced to figurehead status. Rumblings and appearances of lawyers here and there have hinted that efforts for continuing the current lease beyond the extended termination date of July 31 are afoot. Pack Place’s attorneys Marc Hunt have said the city’s offer, as broached by Hunt, was too informal to be legally enforceable. Problems first came to the public’s attention a year ago, when Michalove, a former Asheville mayor, accused then-Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer, then-Councilman Hunt and City Manager Gary Jackson of “ethics violations.” Michalove, along with Miall, who was running against Manheimer in the mayoral race at the time, opposed a $2 million grant the city made to the museum, after raising taxes to cover it. Michalove argued the museum’s free-rent arrangement should be enough of a
subsidy for a single nonprofit. The city owns the land that is home to Pack Place. Pack Place, in turn, pays the city $10 per year. The 10-year lease was set to expire May 31, and earlier this year, Jackson sent a letter to the Pack Place board that Miall and Michalove believe made false claims in order to take advantage of a reversion clause. According to the terms of the lease agreement, the city may seize control of the Pack Place building in the event it may be deemed to be falling into disrepair. In his letter, Jackson demanded that Pack Place pay the city $800,000 for negligently deferred maintenance, or else the city would exercise its rights of reversion. At an April special meeting, Pack Place board member Barbara Field claimed the city had stolen her “wish list” of capital improvements and spun it into “evidence” of negligence. Both Manheimer and Hunt have referred to the interactions of the various Pack Place tenants and the city as “dysfunctional.” They said they wanted any future lease agreements to spell out funding streams and assign re-
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sponsibilities for capital upkeep. The problems appear to have started when the Health Adventure declared bankruptcy, and the Asheville Art Museum expanded into its space, even though it continued to fall short on its efforts to raise $22 million for facility upgrades. The city already passed a $3 million bond referendum for Pack Place, and Buncombe county gave Pack Place another $385,000 just last year.
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Terry Van Duyn selected to fill Nesbitt’s Senate seat
Despite fumble, Asheville’s ‘Idol’ wins more raves
By LESLEE KULBA
From Staff Reports
Despite dropping his microphone, Asheville rock singer Caleb Johnson recovered quickly and won raves for his April 23 performance of The Black Crowes’ “Sting Me” in television’s “American Idol” talent competition. Afterward, Johnson was just two “American Idol” votes away from an Asheville homecoming parade. (The Daily Planet went to press early April 30, so the returns for the final April performance were not available for the May edition.) However, Johnson was safe again in the voting results show that aired April 23 on Fox. Johnson was to sing among the top 5 in the April 30 live performance show. In two weeks, the remaining top 4 will compete to be the three finalists accorded trips to their hometowns, where parades and a free concert are typically on the agenda, along with reunions with family, friends and teary school teachers. If Johnson makes the cut, “American Idol” madness could descend on Asheville sometime on the weekend of May 9-11. Johnson is a graduate of Erwin High School, so a visit there would seem likely, according to media reports. What’s more, Johnson will be singing near Asheville this summer as the American Idol
news@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Asheville rock singer Caleb Johnson Live tour visits the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville, S.C., on July 22. The tour includes the top 10 finalists. General admission tickets will go on sale May 10. Johnson reportedly received — by far — the most positive comments from the judges and the longest ovation from the live audience on April 23. The sustained cheering came after he dropped the microphone, slid on his knees to grab it and recovered without missing a beat during his performance of “Sting Me.”
In the third round of balloting, activist and Democratic fundraiser Terry Van Duyn was elected to fill the unexpired term of state Senator Martin Nesbitt. Nesbitt died March 8, a week after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. At the time, local leadership from both political parties set aside their partisan differences to honor his life of service at his funeral. Later, 149 members of the Buncombe County Democratic Party convened April 3 in Asheville for a special election to fill Nesbitt’s seat in Senate District 49. A simple majority was required, and Van Duyn won on the third round with 93 votes. In the final round, Van Duyn mustered 93 votes, while Veronika Gunter netted 53 votes. Other candidates were Michelle Pace Woods, (who finished in third place), Charlie Mills, Axia Wilson and Keith Young. In a show of unity, Gunter, who has been campaign chair for a number of successful local campaigns, then turned around and made a successful motion for the party to put Van Duyn on the ballot for the General Election in November 2014. While Van Duyn will not face a primary, she will run against Mark Crawford, R.L. Clark, or Clarence Young – whomever of the three wins the Republican primary — in the general
election. Van Duyn is perhaps best-known for being among those arrested at the Moral Monday protests in Raleigh. Participants supported efforts of the Rev. William Barber, claiming the RepubliTerry Van Duyn can leadership in Raleigh is discriminating against oppressed classes. Fueling the protest, according to the participants, were decisions to tighten standards on abortion clinics, new laws that require voter identification, refusal to expand Medicaid and continue supplemental unemployment benefits, and controversial priorities in education funding. She also was a speaker at last year’s massive Mountain Moral Monday protest in downtown Asheville. Since retiring, Van Duyn has volunteered in a number of capacities, which include service on multiple boards of directors. She most recently served as a healthcare navigator, helping people enroll in Obamacare. She has also been a generous contributor to local political campaigns. A resident of Biltmore Forest, Van Duyn campaigned as an advocate for “ordinary people.” Van Duyn was strongly endorsed by Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan.
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A8 — May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Governor
Commentary Intolerance?
EDITOR’S NOTE: Following are recent postings from Pete Kaliner’s blog regarding the governor’s “disinvite” controversy. Kaliner hosts a talk show from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday on WWNC-AM (570). On April 21, Kaliner posted: Moogfest cowards and the fascist left What an embarrassment for Asheville at what is billed as a new signature event for the city. Organizers of the newly revamped Moogfest reportedly asked North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory to not attend the opening day celebration out of fear of protests from the local intolerant left. Moogfest had previously celebrated McCrory’s participation in a 90-minute discussion called ‘WIRING SILICON MOUNTAIN: Technology & Innovation As A Tool For Economic Development.’ In their arrogant infantilism, the local liberal fascists believe their perpetual outrage at Republican policies trumps a state representative’s participation in what is billed as a regional attraction. From the Citizen-Times: Andrew LaFiosca, a local Ashevillian and protest organizer had this to say, “Over the past week, we’ve seen our collective community rise in solidarity confronting an administration that threatens our environment, our right to equality, and our future. “While some speculation remains on the reasoning behind McCrory’s sudden absence, especially in light of all the press releases, articles and posts in Moog’s official schedule, I think we can all be happy that a man so mired in corruption, and so out of touch with the citizens who pay his salary will no longer falsely represent our town in it’s biggest festival of the year. Whether or not someone at Moog, or through the city made a positive decision in regards to the community remains to be seen.” Hey, Andrew, the “collective community” is more than your 200 or so band of merry malcontents. The level of narcissism necessary for these local leftists to think their views are held by everyone — let alone a majority — is astounding. In 2012, Gov. McCrory beat Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton in a landslide. His presence at Moogfest isn’t to represent Asheville, Andrew. It’s to represent the state. The state that elected him. Yes, yes... we know. Y’all don’t like Pat McCrory, the GOP, or conservatives. You are all very mad that you have no power in Raleigh anymore. We get it. But does your tantrum ever end? Do we ever get to a point when you’re not standing on a street corner screaming “You suck!” at every Republican? Are Republicans ever allowed to attend a local conference without your stolen 1960s chants as background noise? Or should they just ignore Asheville from now on? Just pretend it doesn’t exist? On April 22, Kaliner posted: Sorry if I’ve offended Yesterday, I wrote about the Moogfest dis-invitation of the North Carolina Governor, based on the fear of a protest organized by local leftists. Some progressives were mad, sad, and offended at the way I characterized them as fascists. The label comes from Jonah Goldberg’s book “Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, from Mussolini to the Politics of Change.” The introduction of a novel term like “liberal fascism” obviously requires an explanation. Many critics will undoubtedly regard it as a crass oxymoron. Actually, however, I am not the first to use the term.
Pete Kaliner That honor falls to H.G. Wells, one of the greatest influences on the progressive mind in the 20th century (and, it turns out, the inspiration for Huxley’s “Brave New World”). Wells didn’t coin the phrase as an indictment, but as a badge of honor. Progressives must become “liberal fascists” and “enlightened Nazis,” he told the Young Liberals at Oxford in a speech in July 1932. Why are these protesters exhibiting liberal fascism? Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people. It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the “problem” and therefore defined as the enemy. I will argue that contemporary American liberalism embodies all of these aspects of fascism. But if you’re still sad about my use of the term... come on over and let’s hug it out.... On April 24, Kaliner posted: Uninvited McCrory attends Moogfest anyway So look who showed up to Moogfest in Asheville after all... You’ll recall, Governor Pat McCrory was dis-invited to a Moogfest panel discussion about economic development earlier in the day. His public schedule did not include his appearance at a rooftop VIP party at the Aloft Hotel in downtown. The dis-invitation was an embarrassment. It sent the message that people could bully an event like Moogfest into shunning a sitting Governor who is offering support because of un-related political issues. It unnecessarily politicized the event. Party crasher or invited guest So, did the Governor crash the party? He was scheduled to attend an event Thursday morning at the Grove Park Inn and a source tells me that McCrory was in contact with Mayor Esther Manheimer who suggested he attend the VIP party. Protesters were declaring victory about an hour prior to McCrory’s arrival, and it makes me wonder if they’re going to feel they were deceived by organizers, if there was an invite extended to the VIP party.” Rally organizer Andrew Lafiosca said McCrory’s removal from the next door panel discussion was a “victory.” “Because of our efforts, the governor was told to stay home,” he declared. “The reality is we can make a difference.” The protestors, Lafiosca said, were “not against growing the economy.” But he alleged that McCrory is corrupt and that protestors didn’t want the governor to “use our city as a PR rest stop.” From the WLOS story: “Well, I was always going to come to be on the panel,” McCrory told News 13 seconds after he arrived at Asheville’s Aloft hotel. “But they thought it might add to the security costs due to the protesters and I didn’t want anything to disturb this event.” After local activists threatened to protest if McCrory attended the panel last week, Moog organizers asked the governor not to attend. EDITOR’S NOTE: A response to Kaliner will appear in June’s Daily Planet.
Continued from Page A1
The governor’s attendance of Moogfest was a surprise to some observers, given that his office said he would not attend the event at the request of the organizers. McCrory later said he is not stranger to protests. He also said that Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer called and encouraged him to attend Moogfest, despite the controversy over his visit. “They can target me,” he told the Asheville Citizen-Times. “I was sad to see the protesters politicize a music event. This
is not about politics. It’s about jobs and music and a lot of fun.” The governor also said he had been planning to visit Asheville around the time of the festival anyway. The governor also said he is personally a fan of electronic music and wants Moogfest to be a long-term event. “I grew up on ‘Switched on Bach,’” McCrory said. “I was always a fan of symphone rock.” Responding to the protesters, Pete Kaliner, a libertarian-leaning local daily radio talk host on WWNC-AM (570), discussed the McCrory issue on several of his shows and wrote some fiery blog postings (see left) taking to task the protesters for the withdrawal of the governor’s invitation.
Graffiti
Continued from Page A1 Meanwhile, the Council of Independent Business Owners on April 4 held a heated discussion over the city’s graffiti issue at A-B Tech’s Haynes Conference Room. Mac Swicegood, who chaired the discussed, told those at the meeting, “Right now, I’ve got a building downtown with ‘no trespassing’ signs in front, saying, ‘Yes, if I catch you, I’m taking you to court’ ... That’s what we’re having to do downtown — and it’s a disgrace. He asked District Attorney Ron Moore “to come up and tell us where we can proceed from the law.” Moore said, “Graffiti is a problem that has exacerbated itself over the year. “We started a nuisance court a few years ago. And we’ve run” more than 1,000 people through it. “We’ve run 31 graffitti people through our nuisance court and 28 completed community service. So 28 out of 31 were successful... Three of them have gotten traffic tickets, 10 with new graffiti, with 14 charged with nothing new.
“Who are we bringing in on graffiti? Most are (ages) 18-38, one-third unemployed, one-third work downtown, washing dishes ... (they are) out doing graffitti at 2 or 3 in the morning. Most people aren’t going to get up at 4 in the morning to spray graffiti,” Moore noted, triggering laughter from the CIBO meeting attendees. The DA said his office is “trying to get truth in sentencing,” but there are “not enough prison beds to deal with what were dealing with. He added that “sentencing (for misdemeanors, such as graffiti and shoplifting) is not adequate.” As a result, he said, “If you’re buying things, it’s costing you more. “At Christmas time — it’s unbelievable how many people are stealing... Some people make their living stealing.” Regarding graffiti, Moore said, “The one we see every day is injury to real property — a class 1 misdemeanor... Generally, we don’t give people — on a first charge — active time... We give them probation” or other penalties. “If we did jail them, we’d have to build more jails.” He added, “Deterrence, I think, would be the way to fly... On the third time (offense), make
Gowdy airs ideas for GOP to win back presidency By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
For the Republican Party to win the presidency in 2016, it needs to improve its communications style, U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-South Carolina, told an enthused, somewhat rowdy Buncombe County GOP audience Aug. 12 in at The Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville. Reflecting major interest in Gowdy, who served as keynote speaker and is seen as a potential candidate for speaker of the U.S., the BCGOP’s annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner registered 350 people — its largestever turnout for the event, party spokesman Nathan West said. Last year was previous record with 230 people attending, West added. Gowdy, who received a sustained standing ovation when he was introduced at the Asheville event, also has played a major role in the hearings about the IRS targeting conTrey Gowdy servative nonprofits and attacks on U.S. diplomats in Benghazi, Libya. “One of the examples I give is I have never been persuaded in changing my mind by someone insulting me, so we have to be mindful,” Rowdy told the BCGOP faithful. “If the goal is to win, and you haven’t won five out of the last six popular votes for president, you might want to reconsider the manner in which you communicate.” A former prosecutor, Gowdy said Republican candidates — when they talk to voters — should learn a lesson from the way cases are presented in court. “The jury has to listen to you,” he said. “The voters don’t. If you don’t catch their attention early, or they lose confidence in you, then they tune out. We’ve got to be really thoughtful in how we attempt to persuade. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who served as master of ceremonies, garnered ringing applause when he noted that Republicans control both houses of state General Assembly, as well as the governor’s office. Besides Gowdy and Forest, big names — local and statewide — in attendance were state Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden; U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-Denver; state Rep. Nathan Ramsey, R-Fairview; and Susan Tillis, wife of state House Speaker and Senate candidate Thom Tillis. Incumbent District 3 county Commissioner David King was present, as was his primary challenger Miranda DeBruhl. Also attending was District 2 commissioner candidate Christina Merrill, who will be challenging the winner of the Democratic primary between incumbent Ellen Frost and challenger Carol Peterson.
Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 - A9
it a felony. A lot of kids want to go to college. They don’t want a felony” on their records. Moore then noted, “A few years ago,” there were “(Greenpeace) trespassers at the power plant” at Lake Julian. “‘I need a felony,’ I told someone. We don’t go in and occupy people’s businesses... We got the five off the tower... We kept their climbing equipment. That is a deterrent. Also, our watershed — we don’t want people to break into our watershed.... “If it’s a felony, then we have some leverage in court to get the cost recouped... These are some problems we need to address sooner than later,” Moore said. “I think the only way we can catch these people.... is to have police out late,” Moore asserted. Closing on a lighter note, Moore said he sometimes is asked about a gang that leaves the graffiti tag “MOMs.” He triggered much laughter when he noted that MOMs is no fearsome gang — rather, it is the acronym for “Marks on Most Surfaces,” which is included in the instructions on most spraypaint cans used by less-than-creative graffiti vandals. Swicegood then called on Bob Lawrence Jr., who owns and runs a power equipment business at 265 Broadway St., who lamented that “my building gets painted at least twice a
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A10 — May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Advice Goddess
Continued from Page A1 A: It’s okay for your doctor to ask you, “Can I give you a breast exam?” — but not if he adds, “…later tonight, in my Jacuzzi?” There are all sorts of places a doctor can go to meet women — bars, parties, bowling alleys, grocery stores, and hostage standoffs — but he can lose his license for dating those he picks up in his reception area. Not only does the American Medical Association deem current patients off-limits, but a former patient can also be a no-go if it seems the sexual relationship started through an exploitation of trust, knowledge, or emotions from the doctor-patient relationship. Because rules can vary from place to place, it’s wise to check with your state medical board to see whether they have stricter standards. For example, Colorado’s Medical Practice Act imposes a six-month waiting period before your doctor is allowed to see you in a dress that doesn’t tie in the back and expose your butt crack. Even if your doctor does have the hots for you, he probably has an even stronger desire to avoid downscaling to “driving” a shopping cart, collecting cans, and living beside a dumpster. So, the first move, if any, must be yours — putting an unambiguous end to the medical portion of your relationship. Do this in writing, adding something like, “You’re an excellent doctor, but I would like to see a doctor closer to my house.” It doesn’t matter whether that’s true. It just has to get the message across — without impugning his skills — that you’re formally outta there. At the end, add, “I would, however, be interested in seeing you socially.” That little addition might not seem like much, but as linguist Steven Pinker notes about a remarkable feature of human psychology, even the slightest veiling of what we really mean will allow people to pretend it meant something innocuous. The deniability “doesn’t have to be plausible, only possible,” Pinker explains in a paper. So, if Dr. McDreamy doesn’t want the romantic relationship you do, he can pretend you’re just suggesting it would be nice to bump into him at a gallery opening or something, not bump into him between your sheets. But before you do anything, you should accept that you may have misread the signals, and he may not be interested. Either way, you’ll need a new doctor, whom you can search for online — ideally, on your health plan site, not Match.com. • (c.) 2013, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com
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2 leaders stress long-term view By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Addresses on “the state of the city” of Asheville and “the state of the county” of Buncombe emphasized dealing with challenges by planning for the long term during an April 23 Leadership Asheville Forum. The luncheon, which drew a full house of 113 people, featured 15-minute talks by city Mayor Esther Manheimer and county commissioners’ Chairman David Gantt, respectively. They then fielded questions for about 10 minutes. Manheimer began by talking about some of the current issues with which Asheville is grappling. She also asked attendees to bring up any other issues later. She said “every year the city develops a strategic plan... What has changed about this year’s strategic plan is a new emphasis on upward mobility of Asheville’s citizens. The city adopted a plan to invest in the City of Asheville. We raised taxes... Please know that the city has not raised taxes in over 10 years.” Manheimer noted that there are “a variety of reasons Asheville is in a unique financial situation. Basically, we’ve had to
pull ourselves up by the bootstraps... In the River Arts District, we’ve seen the transformation from a manufacturing/ business district to a growing lively arts district. “The RAD is an exciting opportunity... It’s really lowEsther Manheimer hanging fruit. If you can get a New Belgium” (with its jobs) to locate in the RAD, “even better. Cold, hard cash is one thing... Results in investment results in job growth.” She also said the RAD Transportation Improvement Plan “will result in a place to walk and drive along” the burgeoning district. The mayor added that New Belgium Brewery “is under construction right now.” The mayor addressed many other topics, including that downtown is “a high-maintenance kind of place” in which the city is investing, that the South Slope area “has a lot of potential” and Eagle Market Place (a historically African-American commercial
district) will be revitalized soon with 60 units of affordable housing funded by tax credit money. This will be mixed-used development. She also cited the city’s success in drawing and retaining industries, resulting in job growth; and the acDavid Gantt tion being taken by the city on grafitti. Regarding the city’s support of the 3-c option of the proposed I-26 connector, she said, “David Gantt and I emphasized that we were getting together on this plan. This includes a multi-modal component, including greenway connection to downtown — that was very important to us.” Meanwhile, Gantt spoke of the county’s many achievements and its good working relationship with the city. “Education is our emphasis,” Gantt said. “Our kids are our future... If we can’t educate and take care of our kids, we are in the wrong business.”
Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 - A11
A12 —May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Faith Notes
SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE, 6 p.m., Avery’s Creek United Methodist Church, 874 Glenn Bridge Rd. Southeast, Arden. A fellowship dinner and service is held for special needs children every third Sunday. All children are welcome, regardless of their ability to participate. MOUNTAIN SPIRIT COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Brooks Williams will perform during the monthly Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse Concert.
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.
Thursday, May 1
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville. Asheville’s Natonal Day of Prayer observance will feature focused prayer led by area pastors and church leaders, 8 -11 a.m.: NDP Proclamation Program with worship central stage area, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and focused prayer, 1-6 p.m. STUDENT IGNITE EVENT, 6:30-9 p.m., U.S. Cellular Center, downtown Asheville. In tandem with the National Day of Prayer, Student Ignite hopes to bring together more than 2,000 area youths to “blast the heavens with worship, prayer and a totally awesome time,” according to a news release. Aaron Keyes, well-known vocalist and worship leader, will lead music and worship: and Dave Edwards, youth motivator, will speak. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 2
PANCAKE DINNER, 5-7 p.m., Grovestone Baptist Church, 1568 Grovestone Rd., Black Mountain. GBC will serve a pancake dinner at $7 per meal for the general public and $4 each for children ages 12 and younger. The dinner is a fundraiser for Fand in Hand, which helps students in the Owen School District. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville. The American Chamber Players will perform works by Gaubert, Bach, Mahler, Mozart and Lekeu. For tickets, which are $35 for the general public and free for students ages 25 and younger, visit www. ashevillechambermusic.org, or call 575-7427.
Saturday, May 3
FLEA MARKET/YARD SALE, 7:30-10 a.m., Grace Lutheran Preschool, main parking lot, Grace Lutheran Church,1245 6th Ave W., Hendersonville. GLP will host a large outdoor flea market and bake sale. HEALING CONFERENCE, 8:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., Asheville. A Leaders in Healing conference will feature several speakers, including the Rev. Becca Stevens, Episcopal priest, founder of Magdalene & Thistle Farms (a community for whomen who have survived prostitution and addiction) and author of “Snake Oil: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling.” To register, visit www.diocesewnc. org, or call 225-6656. BLESSING OF BICYCLES, 10 a.m., Shelter 1, Jackson Park, Hendersonville. In conjunction with Grace Lutheran Church, the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club will host a “Blessing of the Bicycles.” Following the blessing, a brief presentation on bicycle safety will be given, then cyclists will choose one of three rides — 2 miles, 4.5 miles or 12-15 miles. HANDBELL CONCERT, 4 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 22 Fisher Rd., Brevard. The Blue Ridge Ringers, and community handbell ensemble in Henderson County, will perform. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
Sunday, May 4
BUDDHISM 101 FORUM, 9:15 a.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville. As part of the FCUCC’s weekly adult forums, Bob and Fran German will present “Buddhism 101.” The Germans will share what the Buddha taught and how all human beings can benefit from his teachings. CHOIR SINGING, 4 p.m., Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 725 Asbury Rd., Candler. The A Capella Men’s Choir will perform mountain songs. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
Monday, May 5
END-OF-LIFE CARE PROGRAM, 6-8 p.m., First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St., Asheville. An advance care planning seminar, “Through the Eyes of Faith,” will be presented. The interfaith program will share why and how everyone within the faith community needs to talk about and plan for end-of-life care. The program
Sunday, May 18
Wednesday, May 21
Jim Cymbala will lead a Pastors Institute, “The Heart of a Soul-Winning Pastor,” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13 at the Billy Graham Training Center @ The Cove in East Asheville. is open to chaplains, clergy, lay leaders, members of congregations and anyone who wants to learn more about advance care planning.
Tuesday, May 6
PUB CHAT, 6 p.m., Mezzaluna restaurant, 226 N. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The Unity Center in Mills River will hold “Truth on Tap,” a pub chat will be held on matters spiritual and otherwise. The event is billed as “a great way to socialize as we explore the twists and turns of our spiritual paths. Enjoy the rich experience of sharing in the lively tradition of a pub discussion.” A love offering will be taken. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Light Center, 2196 NC. 9, Black Mountain. Pure Heart Ensemble will perform. The group is comprised of musician and composer Richard Shulman, flutist Kate Steinbeck, cellist Elizabeth Gergel, vocalist Kim Hughes and musician Bob Hinkle on crystal bowls. For tickets, which are $15 in advance or $18 at the door, visit www.brownpapertickets.com, or call 669-6845.
Wednesday, May 7
LABYRINTH GROUNDBREAKING, 5:45 p.m., Calvary Episcopal Church, 2840 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher. The church will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for an outdoor labyrinth. Attendees are asked to meet in the Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m., at which time they will walk to the labyrinth site. The groundbreaking will be followed by supper and an informational program about the labyrinth. Attendees are asked to call 684-6266 by May 5 to reserve a spot for supper, which is $5.
HEALING CIRCLE, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. The healing circle is for healing of individuals in the Unity community. Unity healing practitioners will offer various healing modalities, including Reiki, Healing Touch, EFT, IET and prayer with the Unity Prayer chaplains. One of the founders of Unity, Myrtle Fillmore, once stated, “Everyone has the power to heal themselves.” The circle will enable an attendee to have a session with a practitioner and/or prayer chaplain, or sit in quiet contemplation. A love offering will be taken.
Thursday, May 29
SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIE NIGHT, 7-9:30 p.m., Sandburg Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. A film to be announced will be screened. A discussion will follow. Admission is free.
Saturday, May 31
CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Rd., Hendersonville. The “Bluegrass to Bach” concert series will feature the Hendersonville Swing Band, directed by Jerry Zink. The 19-piece band, comprised of mostly retirees, plays music from the big-band era of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Joel Helfand, a member of the clarinet section, will be the featured artist. Helfand, a former high school band director who graduated from Chicago Musical College, has played professionally since he was 13 years old. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $15. Homemade refreshments will be available during intermission.
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Saturday, May 10
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. DINNER/MUSIC, 5-9 p.m., Billy Graham Training Center @ The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Road, Asheville. A buffet dinner and fellowship will include “uplifting music” by Chris August. For tickets, which are $50, call 298-2092 (locally), toll-free (800) 950-2092, or visit www.thecove.org.
Sunday, May 11
PUB SING, 6-8 p.m., French Broad Brewery, 101 Fairview Road, Asheville. A Pub Sing, an old-time gospel jam session will be held. Those attending are asked to bring an instrument, or just their voices. Admission is free.
Tuesday, May 13
PASTORS INSTITUTE, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Billy Graham Training Center @ The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Road, Asheville. Jim Cymbala will lead a Pastors Institute, titled “The Heart of a Soul-Winning Pastor.” It will address the question, “In America today, why is it so difficult to preach the gospel and see souls turn to Christ?” Attendees will study the Apostle Paul’s motivation and timeless approach to reaching the lost. For tickets, which are $99, call 298-2092 (locally), toll-free (800) 950-2092, or visit www.thecove.org.
Thursday, May 15
INTERFAITH BOOK DISCUSSION, 5:30 p.m., Grateful Steps Book Shop, 159 S. Lexington Ave., downtown Asheville. The monthly Interfaith Book Discussion will feature Martha Jane Peterson, local artist, discussing her book “Imaging My Inner Fire: Finding My Path Through Creating Art.”
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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 — A13
DAVID KING is your county commissioner for the Third District of Buncombe County. A father and a grandfather, David lives in Candler with his wife Nancy. “As your county commissioner, I have supported large and small business development in Buncombe County. “Jobs, education will continue to be a priority for me.”
Re-elect
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A14 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Daily Planet’s Opinion
City, county leaders lauded for their multimodal approach While there often will be much to criticize about Asheville and Buncombe County projects, we feel some praise is in order for the current leaders of the two localities, especially when it comes to foresight regarding transportation plans. In the latest example, city Mayor Esther Manheimer and county commissioners’ Chairman David Gantt emphasized that the 3-c plan — favored by the city and county — for the proposed I-26 connector project will, of course, include a multimodal component, namely a greenway connection to downtown. Manheimer stressed that the multimodal component “was very important to us.” Gantt nodded in agreement. Their comments were addressed
to an April 23 meeting of Leadership Asheville Forum at the Country Club of Asheville. We think the city and county are being appropriately visionary with the multimodal aproach, inasmuch as providing several transportation alternatives to get from Point A to Point B, gives people much-needed flexibility. It also keeps people moving if one of the options becomes unavailable —for instance, if astronomical gasoline prices make using automobiles unaffordable. It is comforting to know that one could choose from the options of driving a car along a road, or pedaling a bicycle or walking on a greenway system, to reach one’s destination — not to mention the potential health benefits of the alternatives.
The Candid Conservative
Feeling bad for a good reason
America’s No. 1 addiction isn’t marijuana, food, sex or money. Those all run a distant second to the big daddy of dependencies – the need to feel good. Embracing that false trail to paradise is an Asheville fetish. For evidence one need look no further than the latest addition to health food entrepreneurship – Trader Joe’s. It’s a great place, and the competitive price pressure it puts on rivals is a real plus. I wonder if the progressives darkening Joe’s doors – Republican red, by the way – realize they’re supporting a stellar example of the dynamic impacts of free-market capitalism? What they evidently don’t get is their own misery. Drop over for a visit and watch the gloomy-doomy continence of most of the shoppers. Be careful while observing the curious absence of joy amidst so much bounty. For those whose No. 1 mission in life is self-gratification, the search for the perfect piece of pleasure for a perfect price stimulates buggy mayhem. And so it is throughout much of Asheville’s progressive community. Happiness seems to be just out of reach. Why is that you may ask? Because nature is set up to encourage feeling good as a byproduct of doing good. Addiction to the fantasy of a short-cut around that responsibility does not constitute exemption. Be it food, beer, weed or weirdness, a lifestyle devoted to pleasure as priority one is frustratingly futile – and it shows.
Gender swapping as the new cool
Asheville prides itself on being an accepting sanctuary for the LBGT community. Success is affirmed by the fact more people here than not actually know what that acronym stands for. I personally like the idea of being accepting of people whether or not one agrees with their convictions. I can envision, for example, a day when free-thinking conservatives can walk downtown streets without fear of hostility, ridicule or reprisal. I can tell you from personal experience we have a good way to go with that dream. In the meantime, the LBGT lobby will most certainly continue to advocate their agendas – including the curious notion of same-sex marriage as
Carl Mumpower a counter to nature’s apparent priorities. Have you noticed it’s been years since we’ve had honest discourse on homosexuality? So long has reason been absent that we’ve started pretending the only explanation for why people are what they are is genetics. Really? If that’s true, then I deserve a more tender reception from Asheville’s liberal-socialist-progressives. I can’t help being a conservative – I was born that way. In truth genetics is only one source of gender attraction. Choice, training, fear of the opposite sex, identity confusion, and familial influences can also play a part. Going by the raucous activities occurring in and out of local gay bars, sexual addiction is also a deciding factor. My personal favorite for why we have such a blooming batch of LBGT recruits is gender swapping as a new form of cool. Among today’s youth, picking your sexual identity has become an edgy path to mattering in a puzzling world. The LBGT lobby, ever willing to expand its mascot base, does an excellent job of encouraging thus lost souls to the flock. For witness into their insincerity, note aggressive reactions to diversity of thought countering their own. Leave it to say the chances are slim for a “C” being added to that LBGT acronym.
Let’s not pretend this is prudence
There was a time when to have a roof over your head, you had to build it, inherit it, rent it or borrow it from a generous relative. With the advent of credit, it became possible for mainstream Americans to purchase shelter for tomorrow through the promise of future labor. It was a good system that placed more privately owned homes in the hands of the average Joe than any society in the world. See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page A17
Letters to the Editor
For accountability to users, launch a regional authority
I recently read that Asheville City Council is gearing up for another rate increase for water customers in the region (“Asheville considering water rate increases,” March 25, 2014, Asheville CitizenTimes). But some water customers don’t live in Asheville. Roughly half of these regional water system customers live in Buncombe County, outside the city. And yet, it is seven people sitting on city council who are in charge of water system policy for the region and they alone are making important decisions which will affect many people who are not their constituents. If customers outside the city were to have input regarding unreasonable rates, poor service or quality, or matters of future development, where would they turn? They are without representation on Asheville City Council and could not express their point of view by voting in city elections. To ensure accountability to all water system ratepayers, we need broader representation by a locally appointed board in a regional authority. It is long past time that
these disenfranchised customers outside the city were given a seat at the table and a sure way to voice their concerns to their appointed representative. TIM PECK Asheville
Locally appointed region water system advocated
Asheville City Council is solely in charge of water system policies and prices, and makes important decisions affecting thousands of Buncombe County residents who live outside Asheville city limits. Thus, there is no accountability to all of the water system rate-payers. Customers outside Asheville need a conduit for input regarding unreasonable rates, poor service, maintenance, or future development of the system. Since Asheville city council is gearing up for another rate increase for all “their” water customers, county residents are increasingly aware that they need a regional locally-appointed authority. Christina G. Merrill Fairview
See LETTERS, Page A17
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Commentary
Asheville Daily Planet —May 2014 — A15
On the left
What if the horse knows the way? Cecil W Bothwell
e are faced today with the imminent advent of autonomous automobiles, known less generically as GoogleCars. While there has been some gee-whiz reporting about the technology itself, I have searched in vain for serious discussion of what this portends for urban infrastructure. On May 10, I’ll address the subject at TEDx Hickory. The ideas I’m offering here are drawn from that talk. First the “imminent advent” mentioned above: How soon will driverless cars appear on our roads? They’re already here. While they’re only specifically legal in California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada — sometimes “for testing” — the truth is that the car beside you in traffic may already include major autonomous components. One 2014 Mercedes model handles stopand-go traffic without driver assistance. More and more cars sport safety radar including automatic braking to prevent rear-ending the car ahead. GPS is now common, and the same computer that tells a human driver how to get from Point A to Point B can just as easily communicate with a robotic navigator. The GoogleCar has logged hundreds of thousands of highway miles from California to New York without driver assistance. Europe is a step or two ahead of the U.S., and fully integrated radar systems as well as self-parking abilities are becoming standard. All of today’s systems require a human behind the wheel. But that’s changing fast. In five or so years Google expects to have a model on the market that is entirely self-driving, not just on highways but in downtown traffic. That’s when the rubber really hits the road for urban planning. Parking cars presents a host of problems for cities. For every car added to our national fleet, we build six parking spaces. Some are short term and many are needed for eight-hour storage, while the owner is at work. Parking meters are useful because they tend to keep people moving along, to free up space for the next person on a mission.
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Meters entail enforcement, someone to empty the coins, meter mechanics and tow trucks and all the rest. For longer term parking, we build garages — expensive to build, to maintain, and to manage. People urinate in the stairwells, leave food containers and cigarette butts, and graffiti is a constant problem. With public decks, the cost is compounded because we use valuable downtown real estate for public buildings that pay no taxes. Even when someone decides to invest in a private deck, storing automobiles isn’t likely to be the highest and best use of downtown real estate. But what if your car can drop you off and then go home to pick up your spouse or children? What if your car can drop you off and go park itself on cheaper land on the city’s periphery? And finally, why do you need to own a car at all if you can use your smart phone
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to call a car when you need it? Or schedule Reduced need for parking means more a regular pick-up every morning for work? room for sidewalks and bike lanes. An Or participate in a self-organizing car pool overall reduction in car numbers has huge that no longer needs to be responsive to implications for downtown development Sally’s overtime on Wednesday and Bob’s and highway planning. dentist appointment on Friday? The bottom line? When we are building Asheville and UNC Asheville just partinfrastructure to handle tomorrow’s traffic, nered with U-Haul to start car-sharing here. we need to ask ourselves, “What if the ZipCar systems are common on university horse knows the way?” campuses and in larger cities. The financial • benefit of not owning has wide appeal if Cecil Bothwell is author of nine books there is ready access when a car is needed. including Pure Bunkum: Reporting on Today’s chief problem is getting to wherthe Life and Crimes of Buncombe Counever the ZipCar is parked. Tomorrow the ty Sheriff Bobby Lee Medford, (Brave car comes to you. Ulysses Books, 2008) and a member of Ownership is falling fast. Many young Asheville’s City Council. people don’t bother to get a license. In NYC, 56 percent State Inof people don’t own a car. In spection many major cities, around $25ºº a third are car-less. Even in General Detroit more than a quarter Brake Serdon’t partake in the city’s vice primary industry. $110ºº To those who insist “It won’t happen fast,” I reply: “Go find a phone booth and call me about it. Cellphones 889 Riverside Drive • Asheville • 255-5528 wiped out booths in just 20 √ Free estimates √ Wholesale new tires √ Complete auto repair years.” √ In business in Asheville since 1997
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A16 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Commentary
Long tradition of liberalism will prevail in N.C. I never called myself a “progressive.” It seems contrived by liberals to avoid being liberals. I’ve been a “moderate” in recent years because liberals push private issues as fiercely as right-wingers push theirs. But in fact, when I examine my deep beliefs, I’m definitely a liberal – in the historic sense. I’m a liberal like Abraham Lincoln. I think if I had been around in the 1850s, living in the South, I’d have worked against the stupid idea of leaving the great United States over slavery. Maybe I’d even have ridden with WNC’s 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry in the Union Army. I’m a liberal like Theodore Roosevelt. I’m with him in preserving wilderness for future generations and making selfish corporations think more of the public good. I’m a liberal like Woodrow Wilson. I argue that America must lead the world – not like McCain interventionists want but
as a shining lamp to the world for peace and humanity. I’m a liberal like Franklin Roosevelt, who gave us Social Security, minimum wage, weekends and so much more. He was not content to watch working people and the elderly be treated with disrespect. I’m a liberal like Woody Guthrie. I like to think I’d have joined with factory and field workers, singing myself hoarse on “You can’t scare me, I’m stickin’ to the union!” As Woody said, “I made up songs telling what I thought was wrong and how to make it right.” A man for today.
I’m a liberal like Harry Truman. He took on the corporate war profiteers, integrated the military – and turned back the tide of world communism. He had a sense for what is right, and he did it, no matter what. I’m a liberal like Earl Warren, the Eisenhower-appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. He went individually to the justices and challenged each one to do the right thing on school integration. The decision was unanimous. He was a leader when leadership was needed. I’m a liberal like Lyndon Johnson, who strong-armed the Civil Rights Act through Congress, even though he knew it would mean the South would be Republican for decades. Don’t call me a bleeding-heart. That says I’m a sucker for a sob story. I’m in the long tradition of liberalism, dating back to the Old Testament law and
prophets, that says people should treat other people fairly and justly, honoring the poor. And I have no question that I’m on the right side. And I don’t doubt that right will prevail. The rich and powerful control North Carolina now, but the people cannot be deceived for long. North Carolina’s government will side with working people over the privileged. We will take on our role once again as protectors of the earth. Our sick, elderly, children and mentally ill will be cared for. Elections will be fair once again. Our schools and teachers will have what they need to prepare our children. Until then, we must work. This year we must work to elect candidates who favor people like us, not the rich and powerful.... • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.
tion of our USA and its amendments, etc. It gave us a near-perfect government. Now that the U.S. Constitution is being misrepresented, twisted, called a “living Constitution,” therefore open to change, and our society is falling apart — a chaotic mess. Sort of what you (Ballard) are proposing. Look what your liberal nonconservative Democratic Party, along with traitors from other parties, did. You stopped prayer in schools — took out the Ten Commandments. Now you have a human jungle in the schools. Lawsuits abound against Christians and their lifestyles, etc., etc. What did you get?
A giant — supposed legal — mess ... an assinine society gone amok upon itself. Example... A nine-year-old boy in McDowell County is kicked out of school because he wrote a story about his grandfather writing a letter home during the war, telling how he prayed to God for a safe return home. The boy’s big crime? He used the word GOD. See what all your new rules and regulations have accomplished? Sort of like (President Barack) Obama’s war against the chaplains in the military — the National Day of Prayer gone and more. When a nation wants to do away with God
and His Word, his Commandments, HIS people, you have declared war on God. Guess what? That nation, that people, that society will lose and become a part of history. Go back in history, Mr. Ballard, and check it out. It is you who is on the wrong side of history. JEROME PETERS Marion EDITOR’S NOTE: Peters added a postscript to the aforementioned commentary, stating: “Mr. Lee Ballard, pray for our nation. It’s pretty well gone completely out of a civil society. You need to know.”
Lee Ballard
Another view: Reader says columnist on wrong side of history In answer to Lee Ballard’s (April 2014 Daily Planet) article, “Conservatives cling to wrong side of history,” a lot of caution is needed in Ballard’s advice as to what is his correct way for our USA society, such as Proverbs chapter 14, verse 12, which tells us: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but in the end thereof are the ways of death.” Plus , chapter 16 of the book of Proverbs, verse 25, is nearly the same. “It must be very important to have two verses of the same warning.” Like most liberals, Lee’s article twists God’s Word in Ephesians 6 and 5, saying, “As if they were obeying Christ.” No, Mr. Lee, Christ knew there were slaves. He advised them to obey their masters, so it would go well for them — less welts on their backs. You kooks today forget or choose not to remember when the Democratic Party really was for the poor. Now you kooks (as you so loosely say) use the Democratic Party for everything that is against God’s Word, and you’re too blind to see it is killing everything good our USA once stood for. Yes, opinions of church members will change, as they mostly were lukewarm anyway. The word of God tells us, “Many are called but few are chosen.” Like our military, “they’re looking for a few good men.” They are getting harder and harder to find. An example of how you kooks twist things away from truth... I remember when the lifestyle of the homosexual was spreading diseases, AIDS being chief of them, their lifespan was 49-52 years, they had 400 to 500 lovers during those active years and they had a very high suicide rate. Nothing gay about that, Mr. Lee Ballard, but then don’t tell. You probably are of the mindset of the killing of unborn human babies, the act called abortion, known as pro-choice, or pro-abortion. Really it’s killing your common sense. You act and sound like you have a degree in education behind you, but your malice toward conservatives gives you away. I don’t think you would accept the truth that abortion is really the murder of a human baby (unborn human baby). Because the law says it’s OK or it’s legal, etc., doesn’t make it right. In Hitler’s Germany, it was legal and lawful to kill Jews, but after the war, many German people went to their early death because the Allies’ courts called it murder. In short, that’s why we have the Holy Book called the Bible. It is what guided our Founding Fathers in forming the Constitu-
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Candid Conservative
Continued from Page A14 But, like most good things, we found a way to corrupt the deal. Bankers learned to milk the system by purchasing the loyalties of politicians. Politicians learned to milk the system by purchasing our loyalties. We learned to milk the system by acquiring liar loans, borrowing on our home equity, living beyond our means, and robbing other people’s labors. America didn’t stop there. We committed to running our government on that same fly now and pay later philosophy with greater emphasis on the “fly” than the “pay.” Citizens became lazy. Politicians became corrupt. Crony capitalists became fat. Whereas we once borrowed money to finance highways, industry and infrastructure designed to boast the economy, we started borrowing money to finance entitlements, military adventurism, giveaways, and false prosperity. Highways don’t vote – people do. Through that discovery our leaders embraced the magic formula for a permanent state of grace – promise people something for nothing. That nature persistently tells us there is no such thing became a mute point. The pretend prudence of stealing from tomorrow to live well today is just too much fun. Will it end – certainly. Where will it end – who knows? What is assured is that no one, be it bankers, politicians, or the average Joe carries immunity from natural law. Those promising something for nothing are not
Letters
Continued from Page A14
Todd Williams backed in district attorney’s race
Personally observed... Ron Moore should know better than to enter a family court courtroom, where he has no case and no business. Judge recognizes Moore while court is in session. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Arrowood, is presenting a divorce case. How does that show of DA power convey to the client and attorney of the opposite party and bias the case? How many times has he used that subtle show of power? It’s time for a new district attorney. Todd Williams... You can tell a lot about a person in an informal meeting at their home, things that are important about their character, life and family. I visited Todd Williams at his home. He is easy-going, friendly, answers questions directly and loves his family. He has been successful in working on both sides of criminal law. I feel he is a person of integrity, he will be fair and thorough; and, he will know where he should focus the resources of the office of district attorney for a safer Buncombe County. My vote is for Todd Williams. Ken Michalove Former Asheville Mayor and City Manager Asheville
Flat Rock Playhouse opens season with terrific comedy
We went to opening night of Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor’’ at the Flat Rock Playhouse and it will go down as the funniest show there in a very long time. Scott Treadway, Michael MacCauley and a great ensemble cast have a home run. Everyone we talked to after the show agreed that this show is much, much funnier than last year’s season opener, Simon’s “The Odd Couple.’’ “Laughter’’ is Simon’s take on his time as a writer for Sid Caesar alongside other future legends like Mel Brooks. “Laughter’’
our friend. There is always a bill attached to bounty. Once there was an America understanding prosperity must be earned through personal labor. Today a growing majority counts on government handouts, lotteries, deficit spending, and financial slights of hand. That’s the moral equivalent of a social Ponzi scheme. No one wins that game forever – even Mr. Ponzi. Death by taxes Civil societies exist through an intentional system of governance supporting social order, safety, and achievement. Taxes are the means by which that system is funded so that it can fulfill its obligations to the governed. There is symmetry in this arrangement that holds potentials for good and bad and prosperity and abuse. In the case of America, our system of governance and taxation, per the constitution, is cogently defined but often poorly applied. Contrary to the common view, conservatives are not automatically adverse to taxes. When these revenues are applied to constitutionally supported functions, the benefits justify our investment. Conservatives take satisfaction in the contributions of good government and recognize fair taxation as a necessary component to any successful society. Conservatives do have very specific resistance to taxes used to redistribute wealth. In that there are only two ways to
Asheville Daily Planet —May 2014 — A17 create prosperity – personal labor or taking from someone else’s labors – taxes can be an effective means for legalizing theft. There is no constitutional language enabling government to rob Peter to pay Paul – either in the name of charity or fairness. The drafters of the Constitution recognized that unrestrained appetites combined with taxation powers equaled disaster. History illustrates that government has no selfregulating ability to constrain its craving or those of citizens addicted to sanctioned bounty. Wealth redistribution is thus a path to cultural self-destruction. Fully 50 percent of today’s population pays no federal income tax. Eighty-five percent of federal taxes are paid by those making $50,000 a year or more. Thus disinvested, there is a large portion of our population holding the voting power to
expand entitlements without the restraining hand of skin in the game. The conservative position on taxes is that we should all share in the opportunities and responsibilities of our society. On this basis, consumption taxes offer a model of fairness, simplicity, and accountability most conducive to the longevity of our Republic. Cultural self-destruction is inevitable when the majority finds the justification and means to shift costs and retain benefits. A government that collects and spends its revenue wisely was of prime importance to our founding fathers. We have strayed mightily from their enlightened vision. • Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@aol.com
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gives the Playhouse season a great “something old” start on the Main Stage along with the 1960 musical “The Fantasticks.’’ In the “something new” category we’re most excited for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’’ in late May. This oddly named comedy about dysfunctional middle-aged siblings won the Tony for Best Play of 2013 — you don’t get newer than that. Paige Posey and Scott Treadway are siblings in the show which guarantees it is going to be awesome. The two summer musicals also make an old and new pairing with “My Fair Lady’’ and “Miss Saigon.’’ The season is off to a great start. Robert Danos Hendersonville
Bring your own device? No, bring your own brain
This is the first full year that Buncombe County unveiled its Bring Your Own Device program, known as B.Y.O.D. The program was designed to take classroom instruction to the next level. Students and staff are being granted the opportunity to have personal computer equipment at hand for use in the classroom. Innovation for the future is the name of the game. Officials tested it last April and May and decided to unleash the plan this year. The hope is to enable and encourage investigation, exploration and critical thinking abilities through industrial, high tech endeavors. The initiative is held on the premise that students learn fundamentally better with state of the art technology. The county says that modern equipment is needed to assist with learning and should be available to them. While “Buncombe County Schools has invested in significant computer technology, there are still only enough devices for use by about half of our nearly 26,000 students at any given time.” Sounds like a funding problem. Are parents once again being burdened with providing the cost of new technology? See LETTERS, Page A19
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A18 — May 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Esoterica
Aries (March 21st-April 19th) Aries, it’s time to really stop stressing out! Relax and go watch a movie.
Horoscope
Taurus (April 20th-May 20th) Happy birthday! Think about what you want for the new older you. Maybe travel or, better yet, get a job... Gemini (May 21th-June 20th) Hey Gemini, I don’t have anything for you this month, but no news is good news. Cancer (June 21-July 22nd) Cancer, stretch your legs before running. Leo (July23rd-Aug. 22nd) Leo, don’t gossip. You will lose friends this way. Try to mind your own beeswax this month.
Scorpio (Oct.23rd-Nov. 21st) It’s time to look for a new hat. Sagitarius (Nov. 22nd-Dec. 21st) Time to go hiking and find some place that you haven’t seen before.
Maryanne Morris Virgo (Aug. 23rd-Sept. 22nd) Sexy dance party might be what you need this month, Virgo. You will be turning heads on the dance floor when you bust out your amazing moves.
Capricorn (Dec.22ndJan.19th) Time to delete some social media out your life. Maybe take a break for a day or two.
Libra (Sept. 23rd-Oct. 22nd) Looks like you might need to clean the guest bedroom. You might get some friends visiting this month.
Aquarius (Jan 20th-Feb.18th) I think you should not give up on your dream of going to a water park today.
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Letters
Continued from Page A17
I think it’s silly to constantly use computers to facilitate research. This enables our children to not think for themselves. They are becoming a generation of spectator learners. Keeping up with the ever changing new fad gadgets isn’t fashionable. Thinking is the new black. Encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, videos, debates, phonebooks, micro-phishing, even understanding a typewriter – are skills that should be developed. Community leaders interacting with kids and keeping them up to par with current events and the job market (for the high schoolers) introducing business strategies, even divulging marketing ploys to them is desirable and tactical. Being enveloped in the latest posts on Facebook or Twitter doesn’t cut it. Yes, parents can opt out of this, but is it fair for the child when everyone else gets to have their golden devices? No. I even thought about waiving my eleven-year-old son’s right to use his iPod at school. Then I realized that I would be singling him out because so many students would be utilizing their own equipment. He might get bullied. Not wanting him to be left out, I succumbed. It really made me irate when he asked for a laptop for sixth grade saying that he NEEDS it. I’m also very leery of what the children can actually see when at school. Children are mischievous and will find a way
to navigate anything. Hot spots can be picked up even in a small radius around the school. Things that ought not to be seen will be uncovered. Pictures stored on devices and screen shots can infringe on other people’s privacy and yes, kids will use these tools. Kids will see pictures of real celebrity friends, famous family members, or political figures and their homes and cars. Things that people shouldn’t be privy to that might not be permissible to others and offend some. That is a potential threat that I’m not willing to see anymore. Pictures of Dad in his boxers or grandma in her pantaloons and curlers could be looked at by other kids. All potentially damaging. I think raising the bar and putting emphasis on technological realms can be harmful. I think bullying, much like what happened with the My Little Pony fiasco, can parallel my example of the devices that kids can take to school. Anything that you take or don’t take to school can cause problems. Kids get shafted, picked on and humiliated already. The shoes they wear and their clothes are scrutinized. The school should have enough equipment to go around for everybody so that there is no need to take supplies along. That’s what they are essentially- supplies. If they can’t afford a tech device, they feel bad. The unleashing of the power of technology is in effect harmful. Fostering healthy and creative minds, the soul responsibility of schools, should free children from bounds. I thought that school was a place of learning. Screens can potentially cause health problems. Studies say that seizures can be induced, vision problems accrue, hearing is starting to become a problem when listening to videos even if
Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 — A19
educational. Distraction to others is also a problem. Some research suggests cancer related issues. Arthritic fingers are in the midst too. Social interaction is being compromised. Yes, facts are found. How you arrive at a conclusion is frequently missed. Deductive reasoning, logic, validating a theory gets forgotten with these devices. Justification, analysis and finding consequences should quench a students’ thirst. Checking Wiki, Googling, Binging, WebCrawler, and Dogpiling mean well but let’s face it: they’re no match for old fashioned wits. Proposing that bringing your own device is productive in school is congruent with suggesting to bring your own toilet paper is more efficient. After all eco green perpetuates the forthcoming needs of society. Maybe if schools had a uniform policy no one would get bullied and everyone would be happy. No my little ponies, no tablets and no PDA’s unless everyone has them. On the county’s webpage author Lisa Nielsen, the author of “Teaching Generation Text: Using Cell Phones to Enhance Learning” and “The Innovative Educator” blog, says, “It’s time to listen to the students (and many of their parents and teachers) and shed light on misconceptions by dispelling common myths about bringing your own device (BYOD) to school. When we do, we can begin to move past the ignorance and toward breaking the ban.” Did she just say ignorant? How about B.Y.O. Brain. STACY Figueiredo Arden
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A20 —May 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar of Events and Concert Reviews
Special Section PULLOUT
B1
Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014
‘In the Moog: the machine within the ghost’
By LESLEE KULBA
news@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
What passes for music these days! Kids just drag and drop random noise and call it a song. I no sooner came to the epiphany that I was a dinosaur in the music world, than Mike Adams, announced he wanted to make this year’s Moogfest more like Austin’s SXSW techno festival. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I had entered Moogest defining music with traditional notions of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Herbert Deutsch, who co-invented the synthesizer with the event’s namesake, Robert Moog, helped explain the reason for the treason with one of his T-shirts. It read, “Question Tonality.” Deutsch played with a Theremin as if he were teasing an angry cat, and the audience appeared to be as tickled as he. He also read pretentious prose from John Cage. I thought it was pure insanity until Deutsch explained that he was having fun, making fun of and with musical genres and technology. James Patrick and Chris Petti from Ableton’s Dubspot workshops further brought things into focus. Patrick had an uncanny talent for creating beautiful sounds and a philosophy that focused on transforming lives and having fun. Petti translated hipster words like “phat” and “shimmering” into waveforms I could understand. I was further helped along the Moogy path by a group of about seven Moogsters hanging out on smoke break. They fielded some more questions about analog synthesizers and monophony, and they directed me to the Make Your Own Synth workshop; but swore for the record that the conversation never happened. Thanks to YouTube, some missed events
Moog spokespeople estimated the festival’s average daily attendance at 7,000 paid and 25,000 free, and declared the event a major success, as did local officials. The economic analysis should be completed within six weeks.
Daily Planet photo by JOHN NORTH
A young boy was grooving and dancing to the music to the delight of the crowd at a free electronic music concert on April 27 at the Broadway Stage near downtown Asheville during Moogfest. could be made up at home, like Hans Fjellestad’s documentary about Bob Moog. The vid shows Moog talking about invention coming to him from an “out-there” beyond the reach of the five senses. He grapples with the bondings musicians form with their instruments as well as the creative process. Moog goes so far as to claim, “I don’t see why a piece of matter, a piece of broken glass or an old record, can’t make contact through this very high level of reality that has access to everything past and future.” One could also catch the clips by the
contestants in the 4th Annual Moog Circuit Bending Challenge. Competitors for the prize synthesizers had to adapt an electrical whatnot into a musical instrument spending less than $70. The video documentations flashed lights and played “bwaaaa-wa-wa” with the intention of heart surgery. The pretension was enough to drive any Gen-X poser wild. Then along came C FreddIE. C FreddIE blew the top off the joint with his ghetto humor. Talking like a punk and making electronic trash out of messes, C FreddIE duct-taped his s**t from the pawn
shop into until he exclaimed, “Moogfest ain’t gonna know what hit ‘em! . . . Know’m sayin’?” Also screened at Moogfest was the theatrical premier of “I Dream of Wires,” a documentary about geeks who can’t get enough walls of knobs. They may dream of wires, but after listening to synthesizers one day, I found myself waking up with themes and variations of the electronic arpeggios from Alan Parsons’ “I Robot” playing in my head. I also dreamed of meeting Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, in the Masonic Lodge again. Things rolled out exactly as they had in real life, except Emerson stopped to ask my opinions. They were brutally honest. The chord progressions and timbres were masterful! Brilliant! The band was tight. The interview, however, was garbage. Emerson had played on a synth with a huge tower of controls. Somebody had counted at least 37-Moog components. The next day, Moog announced the release of a new product, the Keith Emerson tower, and it was too late to be Moog’s April Fool’s joke. Not to mention any names, other acts were just random and obnoxious. Other bright spots were the headliner Pet Shop Boys, except for their weird dancers, and classic contemporary composer Georgio Moroder. See MOOG, Page B7
Concert review
The Zombies thrill young, old with timeless songs
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
The 1960s British Invasion group The Zombies turned up the musical heat on an unseasonably frigid (low 30s) and gusty spring evening with a mix of old and new songs in a celebration of the band’s 50-plus years during an April 15 concert at The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. Known for tight harmonies and a sophisticated, jazzy feel to its music, the group, in all-black outfits, played one 90-minute set with no encore, although the crowd cried out for more. The concert drew about 400 people, with perhaps two-thirds baby boomers and the remaining third, people under age 35. The opening act was Pat Sansone of Wilco & Autumn Defense. Two of the five original Zombies are in the current group, including lead singer Colin Blunstone, who sounded strong and soulful; and keyboardist-vocalist Rod Ar-
gent, who sang well and was other-worldly with his keyboard wizardry. They were complemented by long-time session guitarist Tom Toomey, bassist Jim Rodford, who was an original with the band Argent and also played bass for years for The Kinks; and his son, drummer Steve Rodford. Early on, Blunstone told the crowd that the band would play many of its older crowd favorites, but also would play some of its newer works because the latter keeps The Zombies “energized.” Many of the politely received newer songs were played in the first 45 minutes, with a few oldies mixed in, while the second 45 minutes of the show was mainly a cascade of oldies that charged up and delighted the crowd. Throughout the show, Blunstone and Argent peppered in interesting stories about the band and its songs. Interestingly, the band seemed to be most enthused about performing songs from the band Argent — named for Rod Argent who
Courtesy of The Zombies Website
Performing at a recent show are keyboardist-vocalist Rod Argent (left) and lead vocalist Colin Blunstone, the two original members of The Zombies. was among its founders after the December 1967 breakup of The Zombies. The Zombies also performed songs from its latest CD “Breathe Out, Breathe In” and from its critically acclaimed 1967 “Odessey (sic) and Oracle” album, which was a latebloomer and has been compared to The Beach Boys’ masterpiece “Pet Sounds.” In an unusual twist, sales of “Odessey (sic)
and Oracle” began to take off 12 years after the release of the album. Then again, given that The Zombies had only three major hits, the aforementioned set list might be understandable. The group’s big hits included “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No” and its magnum opus, “Time of the Season.” See THE ZOMBIES, Page B7
B2 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
of
Events
Send us your calendar items
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.
Thursday, May 1
YWCA BLACK AND WHITE GALA, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort, Asheville. The gala will feature an evening of live music, dancing, and local eats in support of the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism. Proceeds will benefit the YWCA’s programs to eliminate racism and empower women. For tickets, which are $50, visit ywcaofavl.org. AUTHOR’S BOOK PRESENTATION, 7 p.m., Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Journalist Will Harlan will present his new book “Untamed: The Wildest Woman in North America and the Right for Cumberland Island.”
Friday, May 2
ARTS & CRAFTS BUNGALOWS LECTURE, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Fab Friday series will feature “Arts & Crafts Bungalows: Asheville’s Precious Treasures,” with Frank Brown, designer and builder of authentic Craftsman bungalows. Lunch available in the Reuter Café; brown bags welcome. Admission is free and open to the public. SPRING PLANT SALE, noon-6 p.m., Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 141 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville. The BGA will hold its annual two-day plant sale fundraiser. Offered will be native plants propagated by the horticultural staff, as well as plants, shrubs and trees from more than a dozen regional nurseries and local garden clubs. The sale will be held rain or shine. The sale will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, Pack Square, downtown Asheville. Singer Cathie Ryan and her band will perform traditional tunes in concert in the Mainstage Celtic Series. For tickets, which are $30 for the general public, $25 for students and $15 for ages 12 and younger, visit www.dwtheatre.com. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville. The American Chamber Players will perform works by Gaubert, Bach, Mahler, Mozart and Lekeu. For tickets, which are $35 for the general public and free for students ages 25 and younger, visit www.ashevillechambermusic.org, or call 5757427. CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. The band Alice in Chains will perform in concert. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000.
Saturday, May 3
PUPPETRY, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Reuter Terrace in Pack Place, downtown Asheville. The Asheville Puppetry Alliance will present a national Day of Puppetry. Admission is free to all performances and the Puppet Parade. WORDFEST, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Asheville campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University, above the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. The seventh annual Asheville Wordfest will feature poetry and writing workshops, storytelling, youth poetry slams and more. FILM SCREENING, 1:30-2:51 p.m., Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville. The film “Generation Rx” will be shown. “Generation Rx” exposes mass betrayal of children by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and “big pharma.” Admission is free. WATER DISCUSSION, 3-4:30 p.m., Pack Memorial Library, Haywood Street, downtown Asheville. A panel will present its members’ views on the “Catawba River,” as part of the series “Water Troubles and Water Solutions: Western North Carolina Water in Context.” Admission is free. HANDBELL CONCERT, 4 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 22 Fisher Rd., Brevard. The Blue Ridge Ringers, and community
handbell ensemble in Henderson County, will perform. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, Pack Square, downtown Asheville. Singer and mandolin-player Sierra Hull and her band will perform bluegrass music in concert. For tickets, which are $30 for the general public, $25 for students and $15 for ages 12 and younger, visit www. dwtheatre.com.
Sunday, May 4
ASHEVILLE NOW MEETING, 2 p.m., Havana’s Restaurant, Asheville. Asheville National Organization for Women is offering an opportunity to roll up one’s sleeves and get to work: to brainstorm and gather facts and opinions about the Equal Rights Amendment for use on the group’s website and in media; plan a special event featuring a state dignitary in July drawing attention to constitutional inequality based on gender; discuss new strategies for changing public opinion on ERA; learn more about what ERA can do for women; change the conversation about ERA in North Carolina; discover how ERA can end political, social, legal and legislative injustices against women and historical minorities. For more information and to RSVP, contact ashevillenow@live.com. JOHN MCCUTCHEON CONCERT, 4 p.m., Madison County Arts Center, 90 S. Main St., Marshall. Folk singer and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $25, call 649-1301, or visit www.madisoncountyarts.com.
Monday, May 5
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CONCERT, 12:30 p.m., Porter Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard College, Brevard. The First Mondays Concert Series will feature Jihye Change, piano; Benjamin Sung, violin; and Benjamin Karp, cello. Admission is free. DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES, 6 p.m., Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe, 1800 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville. A dinner with progressives, billed as “a social outlet for thoughtful people in Asheville,” will hold a gathering that includes time to eat together and then enjoy presentations that focus on solutions for a brighter future. The dinners are held on the first Monday of the month. Dinner is at 6 p.m., followed at 7 by the speaker and program. CINCO DE MAYO GALA, 7:30 p.m., Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville. A Cinco de Mayo celebration will feature a variety of Latin-American genres, including Brazilian, AfroCuban, Peruvian, Columbian and Mexican selections, paired with Latin-American menu items. The event is a fundraiser for Joyful Noise Music School. Admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
Tuesday, May 6
NSA SPYING LECTURE, 7:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Mark Gibney will address “NSA Spying and the Constitution” and recent revelations regarding cell phone data-gathering in the World Affairs Council lecture series. Gibney is the Belk Distinguished Professor in Humanities and professor of political science at UNCA.
Wednesday, May 7
LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Asheville Green Drinks and the Sierra Club will host a presentation on “Upcoming North Carolina Legislative Session.” Sierra Club’s state lobbyist will present a legislative preview of upcoming issues expected to be addressed by the North Carolina General Assembly in the short session beginning May 14, including a possible coal ash bill and other environmental legislation. The preview is free and open to the public. OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An open rehearsal of the Blue Ridge Orchestra — directed by Milton Crotts — will be held. Admission is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B3
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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 — B3
You are invited! On Saturday, May 17th,
Asheville Tea Pac is hosting a Fundraiser for 2014 iCaucus Endorsed Candidates FREE EVENT!
Noon – 3 PM
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The Seattle-based rock band Alice in Chains — formed in 1987 — will perform at 9 p.m. May 2 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.
Calendar of Events Continued from Page B2
Thursday, May 8
ANTI-RACISM LUNCHEON, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Mountain View Room, Sherrill Center, UNC Asheville. A-B Tech will hold a Me2We luncheon conference for Stand Against Racism. For tickets, visit www.diversityed.org. FOLK MUSIC CONCERT, 6:30 p.m., Kaplan Auditorium, Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville. The library’s Centennial Celebration will present an Appalachian folk music concert featuring Ed Snodderly. He is billed as “a well-respected” musician, songwriter, actor and co-owner of one of the country’s longest running music venues, The Down Home, located in Johnson City, Tenn. In addition to recording several albums, both as a part of the bluegrass duo Brother Boys’ and as a solo artist, his fiddling took center stage when he played the character of Village Idiot in the film “‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?” The program is free and open to the public. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SCREENING, 7 p.m., The Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. The premiere of the documentary “My Toxic Backyard” will be held. The film is about the South Asheville community living around an old CRS Superfund site and the ongoing struggle to get clean safe drinking water while the old CTS site continues to leak dangerous toxins into the ground — 20 years after the threat was first reported to the EPA. There will be more showings on the upcoming weekend. Admission is $7.50 for matinees and $9.75 regular showings. GREAT QUOTES PROGRAM, 7-9 p.m., Lake Pointe Landing, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. Ron Collins, an assistant professor at Mars Hill University, will discuss the stress that individuals bring on themselves, based on the quote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes
it so” from the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. There also will be an exchange between the audience and the speaker, a discussion moderated by Don Emon on how the talk relates to “applied philosophy” and the “last word” by the speaker. A $5 donation is requested to support a general scholarship at MHU.
Friday, May 9
“LIVING WELL” LECTURE, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Ashevlle. The Fab Friday series will feature “Living Well: Getting Vested in Growing Older Right (VIGOR),” with Dr. Teresa Fralix, family physician and UNC MAHEC faculty member. Lunch will be available in the Reuter Café; brown bags welcome. Admission is free and open to the public. Symphony Talk, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A monthly Symphony Talk With Daniel Meyer, director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, will be held. Meyer will discuss the symphony’s next concert. Admission is free and open to the public. MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, 3-5 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Hyphen Coffeehouse, 81 Patton Ave., Asheville. Dan Lewis will perform at 3 p.m., followed by QuickChester at 5 p.m. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Light Center, 2196 NC. 9, Black Mountain. Pure Heart Ensemble will perform. The group is comprised of musician and composer Richard Shulman, flutist Kate Steinbeck, cellist Elizabeth Gergel, vocalist Kim Hughes and musician Bob Hinkle on crystal bowls. For tickets, which are $15 in advance or $18 at the door, visit www. brownpapertickets.com, or call 669-6845. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon. Bryan Sutton will perform with David Holt and T. Michael Coleman. For tickets, which are $28, visit www.tryonarts.org, or call 859-8322.
See CALENDAR, Page B4
Fletcher Community Park 85 Howard Gap, Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732 • (828) 687 0751 http://www.fletcherparks.org/fletcher-community-park/
Food by Great American Dog • www.GregAmericanDog.net. Music • Patriotic Crafts • Playground for kids • Much more! Tickets for the Bug Out Truck raffle donated to our candidates. Ticket donation each $20.00. Fully loaded with readiness supplies including an AR-15, shotgun and rifle. See here for details. http://ashevilleteapac.org/?page_ id=1286. Truck drawing: July 4, 2014. Come to see it! Please RSVP mizp1952@gmail.com, or at (828) 683-1863 that you are joining us so we have enough food.
‘Taking Back Our Government, One Candidate At A Time!’ Come to support candidates who submitted to the iCaucus Citizen-Led Job Interview and made commitments to the Constitutional principles of individual rights, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets.
A true bottom up, grassroots endorsement! Meet the candidates. Come to support: * indicates primary races, May 6th * US Senate: Dr. Greg Brannon * US Congress NC 10: Richard Lynch US Congress NC 11: Mark Meadows
NC Senate 50: Senator Jim Davis NC Supreme Court Chief Justice: Justice Mark Martin NC Supreme Court: Judge Robert (Bob) Hunter
* US Congress NC 6: Mike Causey
* NC Supreme Court: Jeanette Doran
* Henderson County Sheriff: Sheriff Charles McDonald
NC Court of Appeals: Judge Bill Southern
* Henderson County Commissioner: Andrew Riddle * Cherokee County Commissioner: Dr. Dan Eichenbaum NC House 113: Representative Chris Whitmire * NC Senate 49: Clarence Young
In the iCaucus Process:
NC House 117: Shelby Mood * Clay County Commissioner: Lois Dinsmore NC Court of Appeals: Judge Paul Holocombe Haywood County Commissioner: Windy McKinney
iCaucus process of citizen endorsement: The Asheville Tea PAC endorsement program is performed in conjunction with the assessment process of the iCaucus Citizen-Led Job Interview process. iCaucus maintains a standard that satisfies our criteria for evaluating candidates. Go to www. icaucus.org and www.ashevilleteapac.org for more information. ATPAC Mission Statement: Our purpose in forming the Asheville Tea PAC is to legally support candidates who advance our core values: individual rights, fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets. Donations are non-tax deductible. Paid for by Asheville Tea PAC and not by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
B4 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
Continued from Page B3
Saturday, May 10
WATER DISCUSSION, 3-4:30 p.m., Pack Memorial Library, Haywood Street, downtown Asheville. Gary Springston on the “Tennessee River Valley,” as part of the series “Water Troubles and Water Solutions: Western North Carolina Water in Context.” Springston is program manager for Tennessee Valley Authority. Admission is free. CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Greeneville, Tenn. MercyMe, a Christian rock band founded in Greenville, Texas, will perform in concert. CONCERT, 8 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, downtown Asheville. The Asheville Symphony Orchestra will present “Rachmaninoff Piano Concert No. 2” with pianist Mariangela Vacatello and music by Shostakovitch.
Monday, May 12
WATER DISCUSSION, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., café conference room, Earth Fare, Westgate, Asheville. The newly formed Water Cluster of the Food Policy Council will hold its second official meeting to select priority actions out of the ideas brainstormed in the forming meeting and the first meeting. The cluster identified 25 actions and consolidated them into six categories: education of the public, investigation, working with the city, working with other clusters, working with the general public, and events. Anyone may join the group and help it choose what to work on first to identify policy and propose innovative solutions to improve local water systems as they relate to food. MOVE TO AMEND MEETING, 7 p.m., North Asheville Library, Merrimon Avenue, Asheville. A Move to Amend Buncombe County meeting will be held. Ginny Lentz will talk about her experience going door-to-door for the MTA “We the People Listen” campaign. All are welcome.
PA
L E DEA CKAG
Tuesday, May 13
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.
Wednesday, May 14
PEACE/JUSTICE MEETING, 9:30 a.m., Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain. Western Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East will meet. OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An open rehearsal of the Blue Ridge Orchestra — directed by Milton Crotts — will be held. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, May 15
OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5 p.m., Azalea Parking Lot, between 3rd and 4th Avenues along King Street, downtown Hendersonville. The annual Rhythm & Brews summer concert series will feature the band Broadcast. Admission is free. RADIATION TODAY LECTURE, 7-8 p.m., Room 102-A, Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Dr. Perry Sprawls will offer a talk on radiation in Americans’ lives today. He contends there are different types of radiation, and with the exception of light, it is invisible. That often gives it a mystic characteristic and a cause for concern because of our natural “fear of the darkness” and things one cannot see. When an individual become more familiar with the radiation in our lives today, knowing its characteristics, where it comes from, how it is used in modern society, and its effects on the human body, one can make intelligent decisions and live in harmony with this part of our environment. Sprawls is Distinguished Emeritus Professor, Emory University, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, with more than 50 years of experience in the use of radiation for medical purposes. The lecture is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B5
Coming in May
Heritage Life Skills III Weekend Hands-On Classes
To register, visit www.CarolinaReadiness.com
May 16-18
Haywood County Fairgrounds 758 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, N.C.
Come and join us for a weekend of learning! RVs & Tents - Free camping. No electricity or showers available.
Classes being offered are:
Beekeeping Butchering Canning Meat* Canning Fruits/Vegetables* Cheesemaking Dehydrating Wound Care Dutch Oven Cooking Food Storage Sun Oven Cooking Candle Making* Battery-Based Solar System Bread Making* Healing Oils of the Bible
Herbal Salves, Tinctures, Teas* Perimeter Security Yurt Building Fire Starting* Archery Blacksmith/Knife-making Solar Greenhouse Preppers Medicine Chest Knot-Tying Secret Garden of Survival Map & Compass Navigation Tactical Radio Communications Silver and Gold 101 Basics of Prepping
Calendar
of
Continued from Page B4
Events
Friday, May 16
MARK TWAIN SALUTE, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Fab Friday series will feature, “And Now, Mark Twain!” a performance by Richard Cary, founder and former artistic director of Actors Theatre of Nantucket. Lunch will be available in the Reuter Café; brown bags welcome. Admission is free and open to the public. ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE, 3-5 p.m., RiverLink offices, 170 Lyman St., River Arts District, Asheville. Dr. Frank Kalinowski will address “Environmental Legacies: Politics, Policy and American National Character.” He is a retired professor from Warren Wilson College and an author. DOWNTOWN AFTER FIVE STREET FEST, 5-9 p.m., North Lexington Avenue at the Interstate 240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The 26th annual Downtown After Five monthly street festival will feature the soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones, with The Broadcast serving as the opening band. Besides live music, the street concert will offer a wide selection of local and national beers and food. CHICAGO CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. Chicago will perform in concert. Formed in 1967, the self-described “rock ‘n’ roll band with horns” began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, generating several hit ballads. The group had a steady stream of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Chicago was second only to The Beach Boys in Billboard singles and albums chart success among American bands. Chicago was the nation’s leading singles-charting group during the 1970s, according to Billboard. The band has sold more than 38 million units in the U.S., with 22 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums. Chicago has registered five No. 1 albums and 21 top-10 singles. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.
Saturday, May 17
Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 — B5
ARTS FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Sa-
luda. The 11th annual Saluda Arts Festival will feature live music, as well as paintings, pottery, woodworking, sculpting, pottery, fiber, jewelry and metal. In addition to plentiful parking and restrooms, there will be a Children’s Art Tent. Music headliners will be The Deluge, billed as “a whirling dervish of a band with a kinetic energy that leaves audiences swooning long afterward.” The band blends roots rock and soul. The festival also will bring back The Danberrys, a folk-bluegrass-Americana group; and Sweet Claudette, which combines four- and six-part harmonies, Motown-inspired backup vocals and an unusual combination of acoustic instruments: cello, banjo, melodica and guitar. CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Greeneville, Tenn. The Motown Experience will perform in concert. An all-star lineup of world class vocalists drawn from the ranks of the legendary groups that made these hits timeless classics. The show is billed as “jam-packed with impeccable harmonies, dazzling choreography, and those timeless Motown songs that everyone knows and loves.” For tickets, visit www.NPACgreenevillecom or call (423_ 638-1679. CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. MercyMe, a Christian rock band founded in Greenville, Texas, will perform in concert.
Sunday, May 18
MALCOLM X FESTIVAL, 2-8 p.m., Cleveland Park, East Washington Street and Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville S.C. The Malcolm X Festival will be held.
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Starts at 9 p.m.
AUDUBON SOCIETY MEETING, 7 p.m., Room 102, Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society will meet. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Tuesday night is Blues Jam
See CALENDAR, Page B6
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!”
5/07 - Lone Rider Brewing Co.
5/21 - Wolaver’s Brewing
5/14 - Pisgah Beer Co.
5/28 - Bell’s Brewery
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!
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.
Saturday Night Speaker Angry American —
Come compete for fantastic prizes
Tuesday, May 20
Some classes will be limited — sign up for classes early. Classes subject to change. *Minimal materials charge Bring pad & pens, and folding chairs. If you make music— bring your instruments!
(Starting at 7 p.m.)
Every Monday is Trivia Night
May Message Series: The Essentials Sunday mornings at Carolina Cinemas Please call or check our website for the service time More info on dnachurch.org, or call our church office at 828-619-0362
Saturday night bands:
5/03 Marcel Anton
Rockin’ Blues & Grooves
FREE
5/10 Wilhelm Brothers
Folk Rock with Cello Infusion $5
5/17 Point and Shoot
Alt Country/Folk/Rock
5/24 The Morning After
Electric Bluegrass/Soul/Latin/Jazz $5
5/31 Asheville Waits Band
FREE
Tom Waits Tribute Band $5
777 Haywood Road West Asheville 828-225-9782 www.westvillepub.com
B6 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar Continued from Page B5
Wednesday, May 21
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An open rehearsal of the Blue Ridge Orchestra — directed by Milton Crotts — will be held. Admission is free and open to the public.
Friday, May 23
SING ALONG WITH MITCH MILLER, 6:30 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square, downtown Asheville. The Intersections Sing Together Series will feature a Sing Along With the Mitch Miller Show on NBC-TV in the 1960s. The event will be led by Jim and Beth Magill. For tickets, which are $10, visit www.dwtheatre. com or call 257-4530.
Wednesday, May 28
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An open rehearsal of the Blue Ridge Orchestra — directed by Milton Crotts — will be held. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, May 29
FILM SCREENING, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The “Moral Movies” series will screen “American Winter.” The series is sponsored by the Mountain People’s Assembly in collaboraton with the NAACP and WorkingFlms. The intent of the series is “to jumpstart community dialogue on social, economic and environmental issues relevant to the state.” The screenings will coincide with showings in seven other North Carolina cities.
Friday, May 30
Opera Talk, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Opera Talks series will feature a behind-the-scenes tour of the operatic world. Admission is free and open to the public. PEACE/JUSTICE MEETING, 3:15 p.m., Brooks-Howell Home, 266 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Western Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East will meet. ARTS FESTIVAL, 5-10 p.m., Sculpture and Performance Plaza, Riverside Drive, along the French Broad River, River Arts District, Asheville. RiverLink will launch its 2014 RiverMusic Concert Series with Afrobeat, funk and soul from Orgone, with the Brooklyn band Emefe opening. Gates open at 5. Each show will feature a beer from
The rock band Chicago will perform at 9 p.m. May 16 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee. two different breweries and food trucks.
and 4th Avenues along King Street, downtown Hendersonville. The annual Rhythm & Brews summer concert series will feature the band Balsam Range. Admission is free.
Saturday, May 31
FILM SCREENING, 1-2:21 p.m., Haywood County Public Library, 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. “Generation Rx” will be shown. The film is billed as exposing “mass betrayal of children by the FDA and Big Pharma.” Admission is free.
Thursday, June 19
OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5 p.m., Azalea Parking Lot, between 3rd
Friday, June 20
DOWNTOWN AFTER FIVE STREET FEST, 5-9 p.m., N. Lexington Ave. at the Interstate 240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The 26th annual Downtown After Five monthly street festival will feature Southern rockers Drivin N’ Cryin’, with American Aquarium serving as the opening band. Besides live music, the street concert also will feature a wide selection of local and national beers and food.
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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2014 — B7
The Zombies
Moog
Bizarrely, after quickly noting that “Time of the Season” was its biggest-selling recording, The Zombies seemed to rush into — and through — the song, and gave a fairly perfunctory rendition of the 3.22-minute classic. However, the audience roared with applause and cheered afterward, so the version appeared to be adequate for Asheville. “Time of the Season” is, by far, the group’s bestknown song, yet Bluntstone started singing it, with barely any of the preceding dramatic “ch-ch-chingla,” a key aspect of the song. While Argent did his usual masterful job during a keyboard solo, one would think The Zombies would lengthen their best-known song — for cheering fans at a concert — to at least 10 minutes. An extended and ultra-dramatic version of the song’s introduction would have proven quite riveting. Instead, the band made Argent’s rather mundane “Hold Your Head Up” its climactic song, easily the longest it performed at the show — and the one it performed with the most enthusiasm. The concert began with 1965’s “I Love You,” followed by a mix of mostly newer songs. Halfway through the concert, after playing “Time of the Season,” The Zombies launched into the group’s 1965 hit, “Tell Her No,” during which many in the audience joined in singing the chorus, with no urging needed from the band. The Zombies next played Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ 1962 smash “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” which again had the audience clapping and cheering. The song morphed into a medley with Sam Cooke’s 1965 classic “Bring It On Home To Me.” The concert ended with the 1965 Zombies’ hit, “She’s Not There,” once again prompting big applause and pleas for an encore. However, the Orangle Peel’s lights were quickly turned up and recorded music was piped in over the sound system, signaling that the show was over.
Technical difficulties at the state-of-the-art festival continued from Friday night to Saturday morning. At long last, artist Charles Lindsay took the stage to talk about whales communicating in algorithmically-verifiable syntax. He later cautioned us to think about the permanent deformation all our signals cause to the electromagnetic plenum. As he spoke, the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” started playing in my head a split second before Lindsay said the second message he sent for the whales was, “All We Need Is Love.” Was it another affirmation from Moog’s “beyond” that, in spite of all the artificial intelligence we are more than meat machines – or were the MIT kids up to it again? The day before, the guys from MIT were talking about amazing things they’re doing with waves. Ben Bloomberg and his geeky friends had been asked to use technology to expand the audience of “Sleep No More.” It’s an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth wherein audience members wander through the rooms of a four-story warehouse in Manhattan and interact with whatever they want. The audience members have to wear masks, and the MIT guys rigged only a few of them with invisible audio equipment so some audience members would start hearing voices in their heads. Bloomberg also told of “Death and the Powers,” which included a Greek chorus of robots who, along with the rest of the theatre, became electromechanical extensions of the hero after he died. The robots questioned the meaning of life, and after the play returned to ask, “What was that?” On the lonely road back to my car, I unceremoniously removed my badges, but something was different. The car engines on the I-240 underpass were vibrating in perfect thirds, and the Doppler effect was hitting me with a slow attack. The white noise from the HVAC atop the Exxon was shimmering. Even my breath approximated a square wave with a duty cycle less than 50 percent.
Continued from Page B1
Continued from Page B1
weekend g n i v r e Now s
brunch
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B8 - May 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
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