Rockell Scott jolts ‘em at jazz cabaret — See Review, Pg. B1
‘Memphis Belle’ marker unveiled — See News Story, Pg. A3
GOP legislators: ‘Extremists?’ Rev. William Barber
— See News Story, Pg. A2
ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
September 2014
Vol. 10, No. 10
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE
Topless rally stages march in handcuffs By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Daily Planet Staff Photos
Topless women voluntarily handcuffed their hands behind their backs prior to a protest march from Pritchard Park to the Asheville Police Department.
The fourth annual Go Topless rally on Aug. 24 featured roughly a dozen women who bared their breasts durng a gathering that drew several hundred, mostly admiring and camera-pointing male onlookers to downtown Asheville’s Pritchard Park. Later, the group marched from the park, stunning some passersby along the way, en route to the Asheville Police Department, where they stood in protest for a while. The police looked on and made no arrests. The rally turnout was about the same as last year’s event. For the march, about six of the topless women voluntarily handcuffed their hands behind their backs to symbolize what they said was the oppression they feel in going topless in today’s society, even though it is a legal act for a woman in North Carolina. The event began with a speech by organizer Jeff Johnson, who stresssed that the major emphasis of the annual rally was to promote women’s equality and to end the stigma in Asheville — and elsewhere — for topless women wandering about the city. See TOPLESS, Page A10
Officials, conservative activists voice strong opposition to rally
From Staff Reports The annual Go Topless rally, held Aug. 24 in downtown Asheville, was denounced in advance by Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and all members of City Council. Both the mayor and council are widely considered to be left-leaning poltically. From the opposite side of the political divide, Dr. Carl Mumpower and Chad Nesbitt, two local conservative activists, once again led a citizens grassroots group that voiced opposition — on moral grounds — to the Asheville topless rally, which was for a third consecutive year, headed by Jeff Johnson, who lives in Huntsville, Ala. Mumpower even got a writeup in the Huntsville Times, expressing his anger and frustration with Johnson. Mark McCarter noted in his column in the Times that “Carl Mumpower is a psychologist and former Asheville city councilman who has become a vocal critic of Johnson and the Go Topless event. So angered is Mumpower, he contacted AL.com about buying an ad to attack Johnson. “Mumpower emailed me a copy of the potential ad, as well as some pictures from last year’s event. (Note to self: Again, remember, clear browser history...) See OPPOSITION, Page A10
BCGOP challenges register of deeds From Staff Reports
The Buncombe County Republican Party on Aug. 5 filed a public records request through the Freedom of Information Act with Buncombe County government to obtain expense reports and travel records filed by Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger. The records are being sought, the BCGOP said, because Reisinger appears to be engaging in a continuing pattern of preferential treatment, at a significant cost to Buncombe Drew Reisinger County taxpayers, by the Democrats within the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “It has been noted that Mr. Reisinger has taken several trips to destinations unknown and for reasons that are unknown. Well, we want to know” BCGOP Chairman Henry Mitchell said. “Again, on the surface, it seems Mr. Reisinger may be abusing one of the most important offices in the county, and we are going to dig and get the answers our community deserves.” A recent FIOA filed by the BCGOP on July 24 — for information regarding a snow day taken by the register of deeds — has not been fulfilled, and they have added an additional inquiry in the hopes answers can be found, the BCGOP said.
“Our original request for documents pertaining to the $500,000 snow day seems to be taking much longer than expected,” BCGOP Communications Director Nathan West said, “Now we hear of possible abuses in travel and expense reports, and we feel an obligation to make additional requests on behalf of the community.” West added, “There was a lot of discussion after tonight’s (Aug. 5th’s) County Commission meeting — and some things just aren’t adding up. We promised to make additional Henry Mitchell inquiries if necessary and we believe it is.” When contacted for a response, Kathy Sinclair, chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party, said in an email to the Daily Planet, “It’s typical that the BCGOP wants to spend their time talking about FOI requests rather then defending their party’s disastrous record in the legislature. “And who could blame them? They have continued to attack public education by giving the bait and switch to public school teachers on their pay raises and introducing more cuts to our community colleges and universities,” Sinclair asserted. See REGISTER OF DEEDS, Page A6
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
MP3’s a crowd? Q: I’ve been dating a girl for two
months, and I go back and forth from thinking the relationship has legs to wanting to end it. I just had a birthday, and she got me a new iPod Touch with my name engraved on the back. I told her it was too extravagant, but she insisted I keep it. For some reason, I now want to break up with her even more, but I feel guilty about ending it after she got me this pricey gift. Want to know the answer?
See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A8
A2 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Mtn. Moral Monday speakers bash GOP ‘extremists’
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
The Rev. William Barber said Aug. 4 in Asheville that North Carolina’s General Assembly and the governor’s office are occupied by too many “right-wing political extremists” who must be voted out of office by a huge margin in November’s election to achieve a much-needed shift “in the center of political gravity” in the state. Barber, the state’s NAACP president, was the keynote speaker during a Mountain Moral Monday rally that evening in downtown’s Pack Square. The sky was cloud-filled during the first hour of the event, but a few minutes into Barber’s address, the sun broke through and continued to shine brightly until he finished. Then the clouds returned. The turnout — about 3,500, according to a police estimate — was down significantly from last year’s inaugural event, which drew about 10,000 people. To the strains of a recording of the 1979 disco song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” Barber, surrounded by a full security escort, walked onto the stage, waving and smiling — and was greeted like a rock star by the crowd. After several verses and choruses of the song were played, in which Barber and the crowd sang along, an enthused Barber asked the crowd to sing it back to him — a cappella-style — and the crowd eagerly obliged. The emotional effect appeared to fire up the rally attendees even more. (According to Wikipedia, “‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now’ — originally performed by the rhythm and blues duo McFadden & Whitehead — is about succeeding despite having faced previous disadvantages (‘so many things that held us down’). It was widely interpreted to be about the experience of the African-American community, and after attaining popularity, became referred to as ‘the new black national anthem.’”) The rally was hosted by the Mountain People’s Assembly, a coalition of Western North Carolina organizations, and the WNC NAACP branches. The event’s highlight was a 30-minute address by Barber. In addition, there were a number of other speakers, as well as musicians and poetry slam performers. The entire early-evening event ran for nearly two hours. After Barber’s speech, which ended 90 minutes into the program, many in the crowd dispersed, as three remaining speakers — one-by-one — voiced their viewpoints to a rapidly diminishing audience. After the crowd settled down from singing “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” the fiery Barber said, “Forward together!” and, in a semi call-and-response cadence many in the crowd joined him in adding, “Not one step backward!” While Barber said he was born at “near sea level” in Eastern North Carolina, “I’ve grown to love these mountains.” His love of the area was forged years ago, Barber said, when he became long-time friends with the late Sen. Martin Nesbitt, an Asheville resident who had stepped down as Senate minority leader just before his March 6 death at age 67 from stomach cancer. “Martin Nesbitt was my great friend,” Barber said. With a laugh, he added that Nesbitt told him years ago that “progressive mountain activism” means “you don’t kick people while they’re down — you help them,” instead. The political philosophy, he said, quoting Nesbitt, is “to build a fair and just community for everyone.” Barber noted that he and Nesbitt agreed that “there’s not a lot of difference between progressive mountain activism and civil rights activism. “Societies will be judged (by future generations) by how we care for the least” affluent, he said. “All political power should only be used for the good of our community.” Barber added that “North Carolina’s Constitution, which was written 146 years ago, says the first duty of the state is: How we treat the vulnerable.” He also said that those at the bottom economic rungs “never should be relegated to the margins of our social consciousness.” “These are not part of the right-left debate, these are the centerpieces of our democracy.” At that point, Barber, who has been the most visible and persistent thorn in the sides of the Republican-dominated state legislator and of Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, charged that the state’s residents are being hoodwinked with “the extremist tea party legislation” led by Gov. McCrory, along with Thom Tillis, speaker of the House; and Phil Berger, president pro tem of the Senate. All three — McCrory, Tillis and Berger — “call themselves Republicans,” he scoffed, “but have governed as
far-right extremists.” He then modified his assertion to include, from WNC, state Sens. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden; and Tom Apodaca, R-Hendersonville. Apodaca is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. (Notably, Barber did not include Republican Sen. Nathan Ramsey, R-Fairview.) While the crowd strongly booed the five aforementioned Republicans, Barber said he Rev. William Barber wanted to show “love” to the men because “we don’t want you (the five) to go down on the wrong side of history” as a result of their policies. “You’re wrong,” he said of their policies. “You’re wrong
to even call yourselves ‘Republicans.’” Barber, emphasizing that he wanted to ensure that the Moral Monday political movement was inclusive and broad, then singled out a number of Republican presidents and even a relative, who, he said, were “real Republicans.” For instance, he said, “Abraham Lincoln was a Republican,” helping both black and white Americans. “My granddaddy was a ‘reasonable Republican.’” He also named Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower as “reasonable Republicans,” among others. “Republicans and Democrats alike signed off on the Civil Rights Act” and other legislation that benefited those on the margins. “Even Ronald Reagan supported the earned income tax credits... So when these ‘Republicans’ (in Raleigh) don’t support earned income tax credits,” Barber questioned if they qualified as “real Republicans.” See MORAL, Page A11
Visit us online at www.tarheelmetal.com
DON’T PASS UP OUR GREAT DEALS!
We offer code-approved buildings, manual & electric panel doors & insulated glass. We offer turn key packages with grading and concrete included.
We offer 100% financing. Free Delivery and Installation. 2200 C West Vernon Ave. (Right off Hwy 70), Kinston
SPECIAL 20X20X8
SPECIAL 30X60X12
SPECIAL 30X48X12
2 roll-up doors-, 1 w2 roll-up doors-a
2 roll-up doors
1 walk-in door
1 walk-in door, 2 windows
Vertical roof, 1- 36, 2 windows
$3,715 w/ concrete
$10,830 w/ concrete
$16,495 w/ concrete
$2,600
$6,985
Rent to Own Wood Buildings
$12,490
FREE CARPORT 12 X 20 when you buy a 30-, 40- or 50-wide with full insulation!
We ARE the MANUFACTURER ... and we also have offices here in Randleman,
8314 US Hwy 220 Business North, Randleman, N.C. 27317
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready o’ every good work.” Titus 3:1 (KJV)
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 - A3
‘Memphis Belle’ memorial unveiled
A new monument honors Col. Robert K. Morgan.
From Staff Reports
A memorial monument to Col. Robert K. Morgan, an Asheville native son, was dedicated and unveiled Aug. 14 between City Hall and the County Courthouse in downtown Asheville. The ceremony, attended by family and dozens of well-wishers, was held on the 71st anniversary of Morgan’s historic war bond sales tour fly-by, during which he and his crew of the B-17 bomber “Memphis Belle” tipped their left wing 60 degrees between the two structures. The 30 minute ceremony included brief presentations by Morgan’s daughter, friends, Brig. Gen. Jerome Jones — and an invocation by the Rev. Spencer Hardaway. Other participants included design architect Danie Johnson and Committee Chair Steve Duncan. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer proclaimed the occasion as “Col. Robert Knight Morgan Day.” Morgan and his crew of the Memphis Belle remain notable for flying the first B-17 to complete 25 combat missions over Europe at a time of catastrophic bomber casualties. “That was just a beginning for this gentleman,” Dr. Carl Mumpower, one the event organizers and speakers, noted.
“Ten years following his death, we are pleased to be able to honor his service and model — as well as those of his crew, fellow servicemen from WWII, and the people of that time most familiarly known as the ‘Greatest Generation.’” During the dedication, there was a thundering sound re-enactment of the flyby. Stephen Duncan, who worked with Morgan prior to the latter’s death, said that Morgan’s stunt raised the ire of a military officer workingin City Hall, who complained to the Pentagon. Apparently the complaint was ignored, as Morgan, rapidly becoming a national hero, had been sent back to the United States to raise funds for the war effort. Asheville City Council approved the placement of the moment in 2005, but it took a private group time to evaluate different designs for it. At first the group considered some elaborate sculpture, but later agreed on a simpler granite momument with an etching of a painting of Morgan’s bomber flying between the buildings. The monument fit Morgan, Duncan said, noting that he was modest about his wartime achievement and “would never have allowed something like this while he was still alive.”
This painting shows how the Memphis Belle may have appeared in its stunt.
A4 — September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
UNCA buys adjoining property for future campus expansion The UNC Asheville Foundation announced Aug. 27 that it has purchased two parcels totaling 7 acres off Zillicoa Street in Asheville’s Montford community for $1.1 million. The parcels, purchased from Highland Park LLC, border two other tracts the foundation acquired last year and in 2011. Highland Park LLC offered the UNC Asheville Foundation a reduced price as a contribution to the university. “We are grateful to the owners of Highland Park LLC, for this combination purchase/gift that helps us ensure the longterm growth of the university,” said retiring Chancellor Anne Ponder. The recent acquisition will give the university and the foundation 22 contiguous acres for future campus growth. It is common practice for a university foundation to purchase land on behalf of the university and later transfer the land to the university. “The UNC Asheville Foundation is delighted to help acquire these properties for the use of the university in the future,” said Michael Andry, who chaired the UNC Asheville Foundation Board of Directors during the time the sale — or gift — was negotiated. “This land, along with the other parcels acquired during Chancellor Ponder’s tenure, will allow the university the space and flexibility to adapt to educational opportunities going forward as one of the leading institutions in the UNC system.” According to John Pierce, vice chancellor for finance and campus operations at UNCA
Tell our advertisers — who enable us to bring you this newspaper for FREE every month — that you saw their promotions in the Daily Planet!
Published monthly by Star Fleet Communications Inc. JOHN NORTH Publisher Phone: (828) 252-6565 • Fax: (828) 252-6567 Mailing address: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 Website: www.ashevilledailyplanet.com E-mail the following departments:
News: news@ashevilledailyplanet.com Letters to the Editor: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com Display Advertising: advertising@ashevilledailyplanet.com Classified line ads: classads@ashevilledailyplanet.com Circulation: circulation@ashevilledailyplanet.com Publisher: publisher@ashevilledailyplanet.com
To subscribe to the Asheville Daily Planet, send check or money-order to: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 One-year local subscription (Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., only)..............................$35 One-year out of area subscription (outside of Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., but inside the United States).........................................................$50
and treasurer of the UNC Asheville Foundation, the university does not have specific plans for immediate use of the land. Its use will be determined through the university’s ongoing campus master planning process. The most recent land purchase includes two tracts: 2.5 acres that border land acquired last year from the Odyssey Community School; and 4.5 acres near the corner of Zillicoa Street and Montford Avenue that also border the 6-acre Odyssey Community School property and the 9.3-acre 525 Broadway Property. The 525 Broadway site was acquired in 2011 from TD Bank when the former Health Adventure children’s museum development filed for bankruptcy. Pierce said, “UNC Asheville currently has little room for expansion and the remaining undeveloped property on campus would be difficult and costly to develop because it lacks flat building sites. So when property that is close to campus becomes available, the university makes every effort to acquire that land for future growth.” During the past two years, the nearby 525 Broadway property acquired in 2011 has been stabilized and improved. The foundation is working with the N.C. Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Asheville, RiverLink, UNC Asheville students, and others to complete the construction of a new section of greenway along Reed Creek to provide a safe and more scenic pedestrian route into downtown.
Tell our advertisers — who enable us to bring you this newspaper for FREE every month — that you saw their promotions in the Daily Planet!
Foam Foam& &Fabrics FabricsOutlet Outlet Outlet Foam & Fabrics Foam & Fabrics Outlet Foam & Fabrics Outlet Foam & Fabrics Outlet DRIVE DRIVEa little littleSAVE SAVE SAVE lot! a lot! DRIVE aaalittle aaalot! DRIVE little SAVE lot! DRIVE little SAVE lot! DRIVE DRIVE aaa little little SAVE SAVE aaa lot! lot!
Complete CompleteFabric Fabric FabricCenter Center Center Complete Complete Fabric Center Complete Fabric Center Complete Fabric Center
Get your back-to-school shoes here! Factory defects, factory returns and closeouts at
FANTASTIC PRICES! Large selection for the entire family
One-year outside U.S. subscription (outside U.S.)..................................................................................$100
ARBY‛S SHOES
Copyright 2011 by Asheville Daily Planet. Advertising copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The Asheville Daily Planet is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 per copy, payable at the ADP office in advance. No person may, without prior permission, take more than one copy of each issue.
509 New Leicester Hwy. Asheville
828.258.1128
Drapery DraperyMaterial Material Material Drapery Drapery Material Drapery Material Drapery Material
Roc-Lon Drapery Lining Drapery Print and Solid Waverly
Upholstery UpholsteryFabrics Fabrics Fabrics Upholstery Upholstery Fabrics Upholstery Fabrics Upholstery Fabrics 50,000 50,000 Yards Yardsin in instock stock stockto tochoose to choose choose fromfrom 50,000 Yards from 50,000 Yards in stock to choose from 50,000 Yards in stock to choose from 50,000 Yards stock from 50,000 Yardsin stockto tochoose choose from in 99 9999 $ $$$$ 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 2.2. $$$$$19. 19.
2. 2. $$19. 19.9999 2. 19. 2. 2. 19. 19.
$$ 99 99
FOAM FOAMRUBBER RUBBER RUBBER FOAM FOAM RUBBER FOAM RUBBER FOAM RUBBER Cut Cut to toSize Size Size Cut Cutto to Size Cut to Size Cut Cutto toSize Size
Fabric Fabricby by bythe the the pound pound Fabric pound Fabric by the pound Fabric by the pound Fabric by the pound
AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE
3049 HENDERSONVILLE HIGHWAY
I-26 Exit 44, North miles I-26 I-26 Exit Exit 13, 13,then then thenNorth North North miles 3 miles I-26 Exit 13, then 3333 miles I-26 Exit 13, then North miles
I-26 I-26 Exit Exit 13, 13, then then North North 33 miles miles
684-0801 684-0801 684-0801
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 - A5
Dickie’s Cheapest groceries anywhere!
Trucks GREEN BEANS SNACK BEEF STICKS FRENCH-STYLE Product 2 arrive cases of 12 (4.5-oz. cans) constantly 24-count pack/$6ºº $10ºº Buy, Sell, Salvage Foods & OverrunsBRISKETS changing daily CORNBEEF 98 3to 5-lb avg . $1 Asian, Thai and/lb. Curry PROTEIN BARS...... 5 for $1ºº RICE SALE Huge selection 10-lb. boxes Roasted Garlic of Chicken of cookies and Whole-grain “dirty” HAM (several kinds Dinners..................98¢ BACON thick-cut, 3-lb. pk. herb (wings, tenders, crackers just Fried rice Hamburger Helpers to choose $1ºº/lb. nuggets, breasts, Chicken and herb from) $10ºº for arrived — hurry (10 flavors to choose from) Couscous cut-up chicken, 98¢ while the Risotto BALOGNA (all-beef) $1ºº/lb . pre-cooked) 98 Cajun “dirty” rice HAMS 1-LB. BACON or 4/$10ºº Gumbo dinner kit selection’s good!... 2 All Chicken.....$1/lb. Spiral-sliced, Rice, vegetables $2ºº/lb. PORK TENDERLOIN 50 halves and wholes, 1-l.b pack of Hot Dogs 49¢ to 98¢ PORK CHOPS .......... $1 /lb. Buy, sell, Salvage Foods & Overruns Buy, sell, Salvage Foods & Overruns Propel, Gatorade, deli ham, 98¢ SAUSAGE ROLLS....... 98¢/lb. 3-lb. bucket of Juices......... So cheap 10-lb. box black pepper ham (manteca) ASSORTED ... $1 ºº/ ea. Lard you won’t believe it! MIXERS irregular-cut LOCAL PRODUCEAll ARRIVING 3 LOCATIONS hams........ DAILY! $1 /lb. 3 BAR LOCATIONS $2 ea. or 2/$5 of center-cut #1 1114 Hansel Ave., Asheville, Ph. 253-4415
DICKIE’S FOODS
4 flavors to choose from
DICKIESDICKIES FOODS FOODS #1 1114 Hansel Ave., Asheville, Ph. 253-4415
98
00
00
All Salad#2Dressings #2 Patton Cove Rd., Swannanoa, Ph. 686-58523/$500 Candy Bars, Energy Chops 308 Patton Cove Rd.,Pork Swannanoa, Ph.308 686-5852 1512 Charlotte Hwy., and Mayonnaise #3 1512 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, Ph.#3826-0834 $1000 Fairview, Ph. 826-0834 Bars, Nutri Bars, Country-Fried Steaks Owner Buzzy Plemmons 98¢ each 00 Two 8-oz. rolls Owner Buzzy Plemmons 00 Snack Bars... 5/$1 00 8-lb. box/$10 ofSalvage Sausage...... refers 2/$1 only to Salvage refers only to 28-oz. cans of –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– slight dents in cans or Tomatoes, organic slight— dents cansor or Scalloped Bacon $200in /pack Potatoes Dickie’s #1 & reg..................... 98¢ boxes. They are the00 boxes. They are the98¢ 3/$5 specializes in bulk same brands found in same brands found in any supermarket. 10-lb. box of Thanks to everyone who shops at Dickie’s. any supermarket. foods for nursing Hot Dogs ....... $1000 Contents all 100% guaranteed The Plemmons family sure appreciates your business! Contents all 100% guaranteed Buy, sell, Salvage Foods & Over homes, day-cares All items have been rigidly inspected All items have been rigidly inspected by us and are passed for sale. 1 lb. roll of and restaurants. and are passed for sale. Out of date product guaranteed by us. Spicy Sausage......98¢ Outbyof us 3 LOCATIONS date product guaranteed by us.
More food for less money!
DICKIES FOOD All items 100% guaranteed by Dickie’s 3 LOCATIONS If not satisfied, return product BULK FOODS CHEAP! 2 LOCATIONS #1 1114 return Hansel Ave., Asheville, Ph. 253-4415 If not satisfied, product for full refund. #1 1114 Hansel Ave., Asheville, Ph. 253-4415
DICKIE’S FOODS
#2 308 Patton #1 310 Weaverville Pork Loin Chops and Hwy., Woodfin, forPh. full484-7168 refund. Cove Rd., Swannanoa, Ph. 686-5852 #3 1512 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, Ph. 628-0834 #2 1512 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, Ph. 628-0834 Pork Cubes - all $2/lb. Visit our web site at
Visit our web site at (smaller sizes)
All stores #2 308 Patton Cove Rd.,accept Swannanoa,EBT Ph. 686-585 #3 1512Se Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, Ph. 826-0834 habla español
Owner Buzzy Plemmons DickiesHalfPriceFoods.com Buy, Sell, Salvage Foods & Overruns DickiesHalfPriceFoods.com Salvage refers o
slight dents in c
A6 — September 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Bothwell, Fryar each face a ‘parking gate’ furor
combe officials said should have been From Staff Reports paid by the 64 vehicle owners that the They may come from polar opcouncilmen let us for free. Bothwell posite sides of the political spectrum eventually paid the bill. but both Asheville City Councilman The Bothwell story came to light Cecil Bothwell and Buncombe County when Fryar accused Bothwell of stealCommissioner Mike Frayer had to ing from the county and said he helped deal with the so-called “parking-gate” alert the media to the incident. The furor in August. story was covered both by the local Indeed, the saga may have culmimedia as well as the Associated Press. nated Aug. 12, when the two officials However, the “parking gate” issue Mike Fryar Cecil Bothwell took to the airwaves to face-off in an took a major and surprising shift, when, hour-long live interview on “The Pete on the morning of Aug. 12, WLOS-TV Kaliner Show” on News Radio 570 WWNC reported that Fryar “is now facing questions about his own For Bothwell, the furor started on Aug. 4, after the actions at a county-owned parking lot months ago.” Mountain Moral Monday rally, when he used his electronic Reportedly, 11 months ago, Fryar, using his own tools, parking pass to let 64 vehicles out of the county parking removed cables the county had placed at its Coxe Avenue garage on College Street — for free. In the aftermath, the parking lot, enabling people to park for free. county billed Bothwell $512 — the amount that BunOn the afternoon of Aug. 12, Bothwell, a Democrat, and
Register of deeds
Continued from Page A1 Continuing, the BCDP’s Sinclair said, “They (the Republicans) have continued to increase taxes on 80 percent of North Carolinian families, including ending the sales tax holiday, which cost Buncombe County families hundreds of dollars right here at the beginning of the school year. “Finally, they have continued to put profits for companies like Duke Energy ahead of keeping our communities safe from coal ash
and fracking.” Concluding, Sinclair said, “Rather than playing games, the Buncombe County Democratic Party is focused on getting getting good people elected who are committed to protecting and supporting working people and families.” In separate remarks, West, speaking for the BCGOP, asserted, “The Buncombe County GOP will continue its efforts to keep our citizens informed and will make sure our elected officials are good stewards of our community
Fryar, a Republican, sparred verbally during on “The Pete Kaliner Show.” Bothwell said Fryar’s allegations constituted “a partisan attack” and, given the commissioner’s own actions, questioned his “moral standing” for lodging the complaints. Bothwell claimed he used his parking pass to let people out of the garage because the gate was malfunctioning and traffic was backed up. “I thought I’d be thanked for helping solve a problem,” Bothwell noted. “I undid a thing that could have lasted two or more hours. It’s not stealing. … To me that’s totally crazy.” To the contrary, Fryar told Bothwell that he he should have called county staff rather than let people out, accusing the councilman of doing it “for political gain.” In an email newsletter, Bothwell used the incident to ask supporters for donations to his campaign fund. “I would never take anything on myself, to let people out,” Fryar countered.
and have its best interest in mind.” Last October, Reisinger gained nationwide media attention by announcing that he would begin accepting applications for marriage licenses by same-sex couples. However, the BCGOP said, the move flew in the face of North Carolina’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. The BCGOP ‘s West noted that North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper had said, the day before Reisinger made his announce-
ment, that he personally endorsed same-sex marriage, but was obliged to uphold the state constitution and therefore could take no action until and unless the constitution were to be changed. In light of that foregone conclusion, Reisinger’s action was labeled by his opponents as grandstanding and politicizing an office that, in theory at least, was apolitical. For his part, Reisinger said he would continue to accept applications and hold them in abeyance pending a change in law.
These venues invite you to visit them in Downtown Asheville Located at the Grove Arcade
COMPARE OUR BUYING PRICE ON GOLD AND SILVER
WE BUY LARGE
OR
SMALL COIN COLLECTIONS
BUYING ALL GOLD & SILVER 1 Page Ave Suite 120 Asheville NC
828-255-0731
0003151683
Mon.-Sat. 10-5
ART + I N D E PE N D E N T FI L M S
Coming in September LAND HO! LOVE IS STRANGE
$5 Tuesdays Local Brews on Tap Best C oncession Prices Special events/fund-raisers excluded Prices subject to change Upstairs Stadium Seating All films — all day — only $5.00
www.FineArtsT heatre.com
Open D aily
•
36 Biltmore Ave
•
232.1536
Voltage Records Way beyond hip and trendy Visit our new location at 28 Asheland Avenue, Downtown Asheville
• Free parking • Sales, service and repair
New, used and vintage
BICYCLES 253-4800
Asheville Daily Planet To advertise, call 252-6565 or email us at advertising@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Buy - Sell
LPs & CDs New & Used
Always purchasing LP collections Sell us your records for cash
90 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville
(828) 255-9333
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — A7
DON’T overpay! for auto repairs & new tires
Robert Maybin
Bruce Henderson
Brake Service N.C. Inspection
$99ºº
Installed - most cars
$25ºº
CV Axles
$139ºº Installed - most cars
CALL US Easy Street For a free quote!
• Timing Belts • Starters • Water Pumps • Alternators & More
In Asheville since 1997
Auto & Tire 255-5528
889 Riverside Drive • Near UNCA Exit
A8 —September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Grant named 7th chancellor of UNCA CHAPEL HILL, NC – Mary K. Grant, president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts since 2002, has been elected chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Asheville by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina. UNC President Tom Ross placed Grant’s name in nomination on Aug. 1 during the board’s regular August meeting. Grant, 53, will assume her new duties Jan. 5, 2015, succeeding Anne Ponder, who announced in January that she would retire this summer after nine years in the post. Also today, Ross announced that Doug Orr, president emeritus of Warren Wilson College, will serve as interim chancellor of UNC Asheville beginning Sept. 1, serving until Grant’s arrival. In recommending Grant to the Board of Governors, Ross said: “Mary Grant brings to UNC Asheville almost 25 years of academic and leadership experience at two highly respected public universities, a solid reputation as an energetic and creative problem solver, and a passionate belief in the enduring value of liberal arts education. Throughout her career, she also has made community involvement a key priority and proven herself to be an engaged and effective leader who promotes openness, collaboration, and strategic thinking. We are most fortunate to gain a leader with this wealth of talent, enthusiasm, and commitment.” Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the designated public liberal arts college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Located in North Adams, it offers 19 undergraduate majors and more than 50 programs of study. Graduate programs include a master of education and a professional MBA. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top-ten public liberal arts colleges,
MCLA has also been named to the President’s Honor Roll for Service by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Like UNC Asheville, it is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, a national consortium workMary K. Grant ing to advance and promote the mission and distinctive role of the liberal arts in public education. A Massachusetts native, Grant is one of six children and the first in her family to complete a four-year degree. After graduating from North Adams State College (now MCLA) in 1983 with an undergraduate degree in sociology, she earned a master’s degree in public affairs from the McCormack Institute of Public Affairs (now the McCormack Graduate School of Public Policy) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston (1986) and a doctorate in social policy from the Heller School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University (2000). Grant began her higher education career in 1990 as a research associate at UMass Boston. Over the next decade, she taught graduate-level courses in the McCormack Institute and held several key administrative positions, including Director of the Center for Social Policy (199294) and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance and Human Resources (1994-2000). In 2000, she served as chair of the Institute’s faculty. Also in 2000, Grant was recruited to serve
Advice Goddess Continued from Page A1 A: Desperation is always so sexy — like Abraham Lincoln in a lime-green mankini. There is a natural order to things. The tennis ball does not chase the dog. (Imagine how freaked your dog would be if it did.) It also tends to go over poorly when women overtly pursue men. Males evolved to be the chasers of our species (and most other species) — to do the wooing and gift giving. Females evolved to be the choosier sex, to give men the squint-eye and wait for them to prove they are “providers.” When a woman turns the tables and does the wooing, like by giving a man an expensive present right out of the gate, the man tends to suspect there’s something wrong with her. If he wasn’t already ambivalent, he’ll likely get ambivalent. (Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Give a man you just started dating an iPod and you’ll be fishing for a new boyfriend.) What you need to figure out is whether your “lemme outta here” feelings are about her or the fact that she got you what may seem like an iShackle. (“Hey, honey… here’s the present you’d get if we had a serious relationship — so now give me the serious relationship.”) Give this a week or two and consider whether her gift was desperation-driven or whether she maybe just got into shopping mode and, oops, went a little wild at the mall. If you decide that your initial reaction — wanting out — is where you really stand, don’t be delayed by the price of the gift. The right time to break up is as soon as you know it’s over. If you stay with her, you might gently confide that what works best for you in a re-
lationship is taking things slowly. We long for what’s slightly out of reach, not what’s hanging all over us raining small appliances: “I know you like music, so I’m giving you an iPod.” Your impulse: “And I know you like shoes, so I’m giving you the boot.”
A vicious recycle
I’m a 30-year-old single guy. Two friends from college got divorced six months ago after being married to each other for less than a year (no kids or anything). The truth is, I had a crush on the woman before they even met, and I’m fairly sure the feeling was mutual. I’d like to ask her out, but I’m certain this will bring condemnation from all our mutual “bros,” though I was never close with her husband. Does that trump the rule that you shouldn’t date a guy friend’s ex? Or is she off-limits forever? — Wary It’s natural to want to express your sympathy to a guy whose marriage just broke up: “Hey, man, so sorry to hear you two didn’t make it. By the way, did she happen to mention me?” Asking out a buddy’s ex can seem like the dating version of poking your head over the booth divider at the diner and asking, “You gonna eat that?” It’s especially unseemly to forage in the remains of a guy’s relationship if he isn’t exactly skipping away from it. But assuming the Jaws of Life aren’t required to pry the guy out of the fetal position, a divorce is a breakup, not a “bent but still usable,” meaning post-divorce, it’s time for the ex-husband to release his exwife back into the wild. See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A9
as Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer for the team charged with launching UMassOnline, a new system-wide program of professional and online education. In those roles, she led the selection of the first learning management platform, coordinated system campus involvement, and developed strategies for addressing programmatic and policy issues that would impact the development and delivery of online programs. She remained in those posts until 2002, when she was named president of MCLA. As MCLA President, Grant has led the college through a sustained period of growth and advancement. During her 12-year tenure, she is credited with increasing student enrollment, developing new academic programs responsive to regional needs, investing in undergraduate research, significantly increasing private giving, and improving campus facilities. Under her leadership, MCLA also has intentionally become a more integral part of the surrounding community and expanded service learning opportunities for students. To that end, she established the Berkshire Compact for Education, a county-wide initiative that serves as a model for regional collaboration. A passionate advocate for public higher education and civic engagement, Grant received the New England Board of Higher Educa-
tion’s 2014 Massachusetts State Merit Award. In 2011, she was honored with the American Council on Education’s Massachusetts National Network of Women Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the Frances H. Hayden Award from the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she was the 2010 recipient of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s District I Executive Leadership Award and holds an honorary doctorate form Williams College. In recent years, Grant has served as chair of the Council of Presidents of the Massachusetts Statewide University System; chair of the board of the Massachusetts Campus Compact; and President of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. She currently serves on the boards of the national Campus Compact, Massachusetts Campus Compact, Commonwealth Covenant Fund, MassINC, Norman Rockwell Museum, and John Adams Innovation Institute, among others. Grant is married to Jim Canavan, a management consultant and nonprofit leader. He is a visiting associate professor at MCLA, teaching public policy and financial management for nonprofits.
Ex-UNCA chancellor Ponder given Order of the Long Leaf Pine award
UNC Asheville’s former Chancellor Anne Ponder has been named to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of North Carolina. The award, begun in 1963 and presented in recognition of extraordinary service to the state, was bestowed by Gov. Pat McCrory. Ponder’s retirement became effective Aug. 31. N.C. Rep. Nathan Ramsey, a UNCA graduate, nominated Ponder for the award. Ramsey joined with N.C. Sen. Terry Van Duyn in presenting the award to Ponder at a reception held in her honor on July 10. Ramsey, who served as a Anne Ponder (center) is flanked by state Rep. Namember of UNCA’s Board than Ramsey and state Sen. Terry Van Duynn. of Trustees from 2009 to 2012, said, “Chancellor Ponder grew up in Asheville and is proof that one can truly go home again. Under her leadership, she has helped solidify the reputation of the university as one of the best public liberal arts colleges in the nation.” “UNC Asheville is stronger than ever, thanks to Chancellor Ponder’s leadership,” said King
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 - A9
Faith Notes Send us your faith notes
Please submit items to the Faith Notes by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via email, at spirituality@ashevilledailyplanet.com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for a faith event, call 252-6565.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
VILLAGE CULTURE PROGRAM, 6-7:30 p.m., Cloud Cottage Community of Mindful Living, 219 Old Toll Circle, Black Mountain. Guest speakers Larry and Linda Cammarata, Asheville residents who teach mind-body wellness with yoga, tai chi and qi gong, will share the importance of village culture in Bali as it relates to Sangha practice in the Plum Village tradition. For directions and further information, visit www.cloudcottage.org.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Annual retreat day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cloud Cottage Community of Mindful Living, 219 Old Toll Circle, Black Mountain. Suzannah Tebbe Davis will address ”Mindfulness, Mythic Map Making and Masks.” The co-leader will be the Rev. Judith Toy. The day will be offered in silence, combining the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh with the Inka Q’ero lineage of shamanism of the Peruvian Andes. Suggested donation of $40 includes a veggie lunch of Peruvian soup and red salad. Included in the day’s events will be seated and walking meditation, mindful art — encompassing mask-making and mythic map-making — eating meditation, guided meditation, total relaxation and group discussion at the close of the day. To register, visit www.cloudcottage.org and click on Registration, or call Toy at 669-6000. BENEDICTINE DAY, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Calvary Episcopal Church, 2840 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. with registration and coffee, the day will be a reflection on the way of St. Benedict. The theme is food for the body and soul. The suggested donation is $20. Attendees are asked to bring their lunches. Dessert and beverages will be provided. FALL FUNDRAISER GALA, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Church of the Redeemer, 1201 Riverside Dr., Asheville. A fall fundraiser will feature live music, barbecue, drinks and baked goods. Admission is $5 and barbecue plates are $5.
Saturday, Sept. 13
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. CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Kanuga Road at Price Street, Hendersonvlle. The fellowship’s “Bluegrass to Bach” concert series will present local singer-songwriter Tom Fisch. He features tasteful acoustic guitar-playing
The Gaither Vocal Band will perform songs from its new CD “Hymns” during a 7 p.m. Sept. 19 concert in the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. and has a rich vocal style, with a dash of humor. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. Homemade goodies will be available during intermission. The suggested donation is $15.
Sunday, Sept. 14
MOUNTAIN SPIRIT COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Robin Bullock will perform during the monthly Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse Concert.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
SPIRITUAL BALANCE CLASS, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Center for Art & Spirit, St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1 School Rd., Asheville. “Weaving a Life: Amulet” will be presented Sept. 17-18. The program is described as “simple symbolic weaving suitable for beginning and experienced weavers as a way to explore the inner self and create balance and wholeness in our world.” The class will be taught by Audra Holden. Cost is $70. Scholarship help is available. To register, call Audra at 989-1908, email lifeonealoom@gmail.com or visit www.weavingalife.com.
Thursday, Sept. 25
CONFERENCE, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Upper Anderson Auditorium., Montreat Conference Center, Montreat. The Rev. Eileen Lindner will address “By the Numbers.” Admission is $50, which includes lunch. To register, call 669-2911, ext. 339, or visit www.montreat.org/event/2014day-eileen-lindner/.
Friday, Sept. 26
SUPERHERO TRAINING, 6:30 p.m., Asheville Christian Academy, 74 Riverwood Rd., Swannanoa. “Bravehearted Boys — The Superhero Experience” will be offered. Between the seat-gripping superhero training challenges, dynamic teaching segments and hands-on fun, boys will learn important lessons about character, courage and integrity. The program is designed to reinforce one’s values and point him toward Jesus, the ultimate superhero. Admission is $15 before Sept. 25 or $18 at the door. To register, call 581-2204, or visit www.brave-heartedboys.com.
Dave’s
Discount Tires
651-8332
— Used Tires — Singles, pairs and sets available. Wide selection of 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18-plus
— New Tires —
Most brands available
N.C. Emissions & Safety Inspections Rental Cars & Vans 5349 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, N.C.
(828) 651-8332
Thursday, Sept. 18
Prosperity Program, 6-7:30 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A 12-week course, “Change Your Mind – Change Your Life,” will be offered from Sept. 18 through Dec. 11. The course is intended to help participants to find deeper spiritual awareness, financial security, improved self-esteem and physical health.
Friday, Sept. 19
GAITHER VOCAL BAND CONCERT, 7 p.m., Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, Western Carlina University, Cullowhee. The Gaither
Advice Goddess
Continued from Page A8 People typically advise choosing the friend over the girl (sometimes because they think they’ll sound like bad people for advising otherwise), but you should consider what matters more to you -- possibly having a crack at her or maintaining your social cred. If you do go out with her, do it discreetly at first: Go places where people won’t know you, and avoid the temptation to Facebook or live-blog your entire evening. If, after a few dates, you’re hitting it off, it’s a good idea to give the guy a headsup via email. He might still be mad. But at least you’d just be a jerk, not a sneaky jerk. If it turns out you and she have something lasting, in time, people should begin to think of your relationship as something “meant to be” -- while perhaps hiding the silver and the women when you come around.
Homecoming Tour will return to WCU with a concert by the award-winning gospel band. Its members include Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, David Phelps, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles. Gaither and his wife Glorie have written more than 700 gospel songs, including “He Touched Me,” “Because He Lives” and “There’s Just Something About That Name.” The WCU tour stop will showcase the songs on the Bill Gaither Vocal Band’s latest recording, “Hymns.” Joining the Gaither Vocal Band will be The Isaacs, The Newlons, Buddy Greene, Charlotte Ritchie, Gene McDonald and Kevin Williams. For tickets, which are $73 for platinum seating, $36 for artist circle seating, $26 for regular reserved seating and $23 for seniors and children, visit www.wcu.edu/ ramsey, or call 227-7722. Social Justice Movie, 7-9 p.m., Sandburg Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The monthly movie night will feature a film to be announced and speakers. Admission is free.
• (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 (advicegoddess.com). Weekly radio show: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon
Write a Letter to the Editor
The Asheville Daily Planet print letters to the editor, preferably less than 150 words in length. All letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for confirmation purposes only. Send your opinions to Asheville Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 or e-mail them to letters@ AshevilleDailyPlanet.com.
Covenant Reformed
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 281 Edgewood Rd. • Asheville, N.C. 28804
828-253-6578
www.covenantreformed.net Wednesday— 7 p.m. Prayer/Bible Study Sunday— 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship • 6 p.m. Worship
Celebration Services 11 AM Sunday
Unity Church of Asheville An Informal Spiritual Center of Practical Christianity for Everyday Living.
Bookstore Meeting Rooms
130 Shelburne Road West Asheville 252-5010 www.unityofasheville.com
Advertise your church on this page
@ $10 per month
If interested, e-mail us at
advertising@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com ... or call 252-6565. Unity Center
A Church Family for ONE and ALL Come as you are! Sunday Services Sunday Services 10:00 a.m 9:30am & 11:00am Serving WNC for 60 years
891-8700 / 684-3798
2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd. Mills River 28759 Rev. Chad O’Shea
www.unitync.net
A10 — September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — A11
Rally participants appeared to be enthused during the 2nd annual Mountain Moral Monday gathering on Aug. 4 in Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville. Daily Planet Staff Photos
Male spectators took delight in getting their pictures taken with the topless women.
Topless
Continued from Page A1
In his 20-minute speech to the crowd to launch this year’s event, Johnson, using a bullhorn, warned the gathering that state officials are planning to pass a law soon that will ban female toplessness. “There’s never been any harm from a breast,” said Johnson, who plans to return to Asheville again next summer. After his speech and before the march, Johnson told the Daily Planet that he was happy with the event, which, for the first time was being held in the new location of Pritchard Park. The previous three events were held in Pack Square. Johnson acknowledged that parking was more difficult around Pritchard Park than at Pack Square. However, he said the rally was successful in its effort to promote women’s equality. The reactions from passersby ranged from disgust to noncha-
Opposition
Continued from Page A1
“Weird getting weirder, the anti-topless advocates actually held a photo contest – when a reported 10 topless women showed up in a park with considerably more male spectators – to award prizes for shots that were “the most degrading moment for women,” exposure of sexual activity in eyesight of children and exposure of sexual “acting out,” McCarter wrote in his column in the Huntsville daily newspaper. “The punchline of the ad is: “‘We don’t like what this clown does in Asheville. “‘We wanted to come to Huntsville and let you know.’” “Mumpower said he was ‘bothered by the incongruence of what (Johnson) is there and what he is here.’ “Johnson didn’t answer calls or texts for an interview, but my AL.com colleague, Lee Roop, wrote a story two years ago about Johnson and his involvement. That led to this line in a Google searchbar I would never have envisioned typing: ‘lee roop Huntsville clown topless.’ “Johnson said then, ‘They characterized me as if things aren’t weird enough, now there’s a clown.. They’re being prejudiced and discriminatory about my career.’ “He also said then that topless laws were ‘the most glaring illustration of unfairness I can think of.’ “When I asked Mumpower why he simply didn’t cede this one day of the year to a few topless women and let families police whether their children are exposed to it, he responded, ‘That’s like saying child abuse is OK if you only do it one day a year.’ “I pointed out child abuse is a crime and going topless is legal, but he countered that other activities, such as fondling of breasts (Reminder to reader: Better clear your browser history now, too ) is illegal. Mumpower also maintained that, in a public park, there are too many local citizens and tourists who would wander accidentally upon topless women. “Mumpower said he has had no contact with Johnson, but suggested that if he was so concerned with the right of women to go topless, he should champion that cause not in North Carolina, where it’s already legal, but in his hometown,” McCarter concluded in his column.
Women who bared their breasts at the Go Topless rally were the focus of many pictures taken by the predominately male onlookers.
lance. The Asheville Go Topless rally was among about 50 across the United States on Go Topless Day, which is held annually on the Sunday that falls closest to Aug. 26, which is Women’s Equality Day. The rallies in Asheville have shown a decline in both participants and spectators over the years. The first event in 2011 attracted an estimated 2,000 people and featured several dozen topless women. The 2012 and 2013 events drew several hundred people, most of them male spectators with cameras, with about a dozen women baring their breasts. Asheville rally spokeswoman LaDonna Allison, an actress and model from Atlanta, said the aim is to promote women’s equality. Her group claims that laws and stigmas against women being topless in public are unfair. “What reason do they have for saying it’s OK for a man but
Moral Continued from Page A2
Keith Quackenbush (left), an Arden native, challenges organizer Jeff Johnson, saying he did not see any point to holding the topless rally.
“Now the party has been hijacked by extremists who are using their power” to benefit their corporate and well-healed supporters, Barber charged. “This is a fight for the future and the soul of our state,” he said, as the crowd cheered. “They (the Republican legislators) can’t debate us, especially on moral and social grounds. “We know who we are. We are black, white” — and he named a number of other races and ethnicities. “We are Democrats and even are Republicans... We stand as a diverse group of many colors to fight for our state. We are North Carolina. This is what diversity looks like,” Barber said, gesturing to the crowd, which cheered. “This fight is about the moral center of our (state) politics.” In mocking the governor and the GOPdominated legislature, Barber said, “If you really want a great North Carolina, take orders from the tea party” and what he termed “the voter suppression council.” He added, “Despite McCrory, Tillis, Berger” and others’ talk “about being in the middle of a ‘Carolina Comeback,’ it’s really the ‘Carolina Setback.’” Barber asserted, “Now, they’re trying to pull the Okie-Dokie. They’re trying to portray Mr. Tillis as a moderate” in his campaign for U.S. Senate against Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat. Noting that he once had an uncle who said that if something walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. To that same end, Barber said, regarding his accu-
Way beyond hip and trendy Asheville Daily Planet
sation that Tillis is a right-wing extremist: “You’ve got to own it now, Mr. Tillis.” Barber said the Republican legislator in Raleigh are out-of-step with most North Carolina voters, citing polls show most voters opposed cutting property taxes and instead increasing sales taxes and that most oppose fracking and other environmental changes that are being considered. “Interestingly enough, they’re raising teachers’ pay by cutting education” funding elsewhere. With a wry laugh, Barber quipped, “They’re not robbing Peter to pay Paul. They’re robbing Paul to pay Paul... Don’t they know teachers can do math?” The crowd cheered. “Our (Moral Monday) movement has powe because it has an agenda of love and hope,” Barber said, noting that it favors a green economy, labor rights, full employment, fair immigration policies, quality public education and “that we should celebrate our teachers.” “We believe, in North Carolina, that we can have health care for all and that we can protect our environment,” Barber said, to cheers from the crowd. “And we believe, in North Carolina, that we can protect and
Daily Planet Staff Photos
The Rev. William Barber, head of the North Carolina NAACP and the keynote speaker at Mountain Moral Monday, fired up the crowd with his address.
expand voting rights. He said for 67 weeks, as well as eight years before that in a less direct way, the Moral Monday movement has been rolling, led by the state NAACP. “We have built and reached out to unlock our allies... And thanks to your actions, we’ve shifted the center of political gravity in North Carolina. As evidence, he said when McCrory took office, his approval rating was 50 percent and it’s now down to 30 percent. For the legislature, the results are even more bleak, beginning at 40 percent and dropping now to 18 percent. Suddenly, Barber shouted, “Someone say, ‘The costs too high!” The crowd obliged, yelling back, enthusiastically, “The costs too high!” Barber then said: When we suppress the vote,” and the crowd yelled, “The cost’s too high.” He continued on several other issues, with the crowd responding with the same refrain. “So today is not just Mountain Moral Monday, it’s the beginning of the march to the polls” in November. “We need CNBC (cable
television news) and the others to say after the votes are tallied in November, “We’ve never seen anything like this before.” Barber asked for action from the crowd, asserting, “It’s time for the new South to rise again!” During the civil rights era, Barber said those who were in the movement “didn’t have the money, the political votes, but they did not turn back... They lifted up the religious principles of love and justice — and they won. “They changed the world because they would not turn back. And I say to you today, ‘We cannot turn back.’ “It is our birthright. We were born to fight for what is right. And so, together, we’ll fight extremism... Let’s speak truth to power.... I heard when mountain folk get together, you are a force to be reckoned with, especially when someone is crazy enough to ‘poke the bear.’” In concluding, Barber said, “When we all get together ... what a day, what a day, what a day it will be. Someone say, ‘Yeah!’” The crowd gave him a sustained standing ovation.
We now have German Shepherds “in!”
A12 — September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Commentary
Ghostly Conversations near the Grove Park Inn, Part 3 Capitalism versus socialism (cont.)
“S
o, my girl, you are saying that the whole capitalist socialist debate comes down to one of creativity over synergy?” The venerable John D. Rockefeller was humoring Zelda Fitzgerald, or was he? “After 175 years of watching this interminable and intractable debate, it would be most invigorating to see real resolution. Though after all the brilliant minds that have wrestled with this issue, I dare say a girl like you seems rather full of hubris to think that you can solve it. But I must confess I am intrigued; what is this synergy? I am not very familiar with the term.” “First Mr. Rockefeller, I take umbrage at being called ‘my girl.’ After all, I was born in 1900, and you were born in 1839, I believe, but if you include the afterlife, that makes me 114 and you, let’s see, are 175. So still we are both surely fairly mature by now.” “Don’t by flippant with me, Mrs. Fitzgerald, or I may be inclined to show my mettle. I have been underestimated my whole life by the foolish.” “Well, anyway, I guess I should be thankful
Ben Yoke you are interested. I know it is abstract and subtle,” said Zelda, “but if someone among the living is concerned about politics, there should be nothing more important that understanding this hidden root of the capitalist versus socialist leaning debate: “Synergy is where the sum of the parts as a whole is greater than the sum of the parts taken separately, and it’s the intrinsic root justification for socialist leaning policies. Synergy as defined seems kind of impossible, but life forms figured out its importance eons ago. It’s why single cells formed into multi-celled organisms, why wolves hunt in a pack instead of separately, why fish swim in schools. And its why humans make corporations, governments, and specialized trades.” “But capitalism and the free market do all of those things,” said Rockefeller. “I think I understand what Mrs. Fitzgerald is on about,” said Jennings Bryon. “Collective cooperation on some level is the essential thing necessary for synergy to occur, and socialist ideologies explicitly facilitate collec-
tive cooperation.” “That’s right!” said Zelda. “But although any human social system has to utilize both synergy and creativity, the root justification of capitalist ideologies is facilitating individual creativity.” “And yet creativity is often accomplished as a cooperative effort,” said Haley. “Yes,” said Zelda, “but at its root real creativity must occur in individual brains, and creativity, unlike synergy, is also often facilitated by competition. Creativity only occurs within individual brains, but synergy only occurs between people, as a collective. “The thing is, to facilitate human creativity and synergy, although they are both crucial for human survival, can often result in conflicted or conflicting strategies. That’s the root of the debate! And you can tell what I’m saying is true because people’s economic ideologies tend to track their careers. And this is because differing careers rely more on creativity or more on synergy at their core. “Consider that teachers, professors, bureaucrats, caregivers, laborers, and (ironically) artists, are all human synergy facilitators. And all of the people in these trades and professions tend towards socialist ideologies. “Whereas entrepreneurs, bankers, and engineers all are responsible for creating new forms of productivity, and they lean to capi-
talism. But we need all of these professions. At root, as a method of enhancing ‘productive work’ individual competitive creativity is intrinsically no better, or worse, than collective cooperative synergy. “So the debate resolving solution is to understand that neither ideology is better. We need to be pragmatic, issue by issue as we build a mixed economy. Which because of what I’ve been saying is the only system that can or ever has worked anyway.” Looking out over the lights of Asheville, Zelda said, “When partisans (whatever they label themselves) see the tension between collective synergy and individual creativity as an emotional dual between good and evil for freedom, or equality, instead of as a dialogue between two equally valid productive work enhancement strategies, when it is seen as a dual, instead of a dialogue, people and their economic cultures become cynical, hypocritical, greedy, and corrupt, and that dualism is the real problem.” She looked at her fellow spirits for a thoughtful response, but it seemed they had faded to mist. Were they bored by her complex soliloquy? Zelda sighed and faded as well.... • Ben Yoke, a philosopher and writer, lives with his wife and two sons in Weaverville.
lature needs to get involved for his “willful neglect of duty.” (North Carolina Constitution Chapter 123, Article I § 123-5.)
• Jane Bilello is chair of the Asheville Tea Party.
Roy Cooper ripped for refusal to pursue lawsuits against Marriage Amendment
By JANE BILELLO
Special to the Daily Planet
Asheville Tea Party Inc., does not get involved in social issues, per se. However, we do staunchly defend adherence to constitutional authority. We are a nation of laws and we demand that our representatives uphold the law. Therefore, we have concluded that (North Carolina) Attorney General Roy Cooper is in violation of his duties and the oath he took to uphold the laws of North Carolina by not defending the law – specifically, the Marriage Amendment overwhelming passed in May 2012. Cooper said he “will not oppose” the cases challenging the constitutionality of Amendment One, and that the state will “acknowledge the Fourth Circuit Court opinion.” “The Attorney General is elected by the people of North Carolina every four years as the state’s top law enforcement officer and top lawyer. Powers and duties of the Attorney General are set forth in the Constitution and Statutes of North Carolina.” (http:// www.ncdoj.gov/about-doj/the-attorneygeneral.aspx.) The duties and responsibilities of the Attorney General’s office are dictated by the state constitution and state statutes. Roy Cooper doesn’t get to pick which laws to uphold and which not. The attorney general takes an oath to carry out the duties of his office by upholding the law – all laws – regardless of whether he personally supports or agrees with them or not. What law will he choose to disregard next? To make matters worse, Cooper appears to be hypocritical. In the Asheville Citizen-Times article on July 29, 2014, “Coo-
per: NC Same Sex Marriage Ban Will Be Overturned,” Cooper said the state “will not oppose” the cases challenging the constitutionality of Amendment One, and that the state will “acknowledge the Fourth Circuit Court opinion.” In the same article, “Cooper has said he personally supports marriage equality but his personal views would not prevent him from vigorously defending North Carolina’s constitutional amendment against such marriages in state lawsuits.” Humm? Unless this was a misprint, he not only can’t have it both ways, but he is in violation of his oath of office! Is it time to replace our activist attorney general or perhaps the North Carolina legis-
LETTERS The Asheville Daily Planet invites Letters to the Editor of 200 words or less. Please include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address. For more information, call (828) 252-6565. Send mail to: Letters, Asheville Daily Planet P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, NC 28814 Send e-mail to: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com
Fully stocked for all of your ammunition needs
TO REPORT AN ERROR
The Asheville Daily Planet strives to be accurate in all articles published. Contact the News Department at news@ashevilledailyplanet.com, (828) 252-6565, or P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490.
NEW AR-15s Starting at
$615
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — A13
A14 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Daily Planet’s Opinion
UNCA’s new chief? Promising
T
Ponder will be a tough act to follow
he naming of Dr. Mary K. Grant as chancellor of UNC Asheville, effective Jan. 5, holds tremendous promise for both the university and the community. Grant, who has been president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts since 2002, will succeed Anne Ponder, who served at the helm for nine years. The announcement was made Aug. 1. The search process drew 119 applications and eventually was narrowed to five finalists. Particularly impressive are Grant’s background in online education, her record of community engagement outside of campus and
her overall energetic personality. Also we are pleased that she has a reputation for being a creative problem-solver and a passionate believer in the value a liberal arts education. Ponder, who did a steller job in her leadership at UNCA, had agreed to stay on until this summer. Serving as interim chancellor until Grant’s arrival is Doug Orr, president emeritus of Warren Wilson College. With UNCA welcoming its largest freshman class in a decade (645 students) and continuing to win rankings for value, Grant appears to be eminently qualified to lead the university to an even bigger and brighter future.
Most important thing the legislature did? CHAPEL HILL — The most important thing the legislature did this year is what it did not do. Adjourn. Instead of adjourning and closing down as is customary shortly after the state’s budget has been revised, the legislators resolved to stay in session indefinitely, coming back from time to time to respond to emergencies, to vote on various matters, and to work out a plan to deal with Duke Energy’s coal ash ponds. Maybe that sounds like a reasonable plan to you. Here is the problem. When the legislature is still in session, government officials and workers spend much of their time looking over their shoulders and wondering what will happen next. They cannot concentrate on following the directions the legislature has already given them while still wondering what the legislators might do the next day. Until the legislature adjourns, these government officials and other people whose living depends on getting the government to do something for them will be plotting, conjuring up ways to get the legislature to take some action that benefits them. Even if the body is not meeting every day, this whole mess of people gather around the legislative building and continue to work, not unlike what one observer said, like pigs at feeding time. Until 1974, the legislature met, biennially, ordinarily for only one session in odd numbered years. If we still followed that custom, our legislature would have finished its work in 2013, gone home, and stayed until after the fall election. The 1974 extra session was meant to be short, primarily to adjust the budget to take account of unexpected changes in revenues, not for the consideration of new legislation. But over time most of the restrictions have melted away so that North Carolina has, in effect, two full annual legislative sessions, rather than the pre-1974 biennial sessions. What difference does it make? Here are some of the advantages of the old system of biennial sessions as summarized by The Conference of State Legislators: 1. There are enough laws. Biennial sessions constitute a safeguard against precipitate and unseemly legislative action. 2. Yearly meetings of the legislature will contribute to legislative harassment of the
D.G. Martin administration and its agencies. 3. The interval between sessions may be put to good advantage by individual legislators and interim study commissions, since there is never sufficient time during a session to study proposed legislation. 4. The biennial system affords legislators more time to renew relations with constituents, to mend political fences and to campaign for reelection. 5. Annual sessions inevitably lead to a spiraling of legislative costs, for the legislators and other assembly personnel are brought together twice as often. Having already given up these advantages beginning in 1974, the legislature has now taken another important step towards a fulltime legislature, one that never adjourns, one that will be a permanent presence in Raleigh. A full-time legislature will demand full-time staffs and full-time salaries. Why do legislators want to be in Raleigh for a longer time? Former university president Dick Spangler, responding to questions about why the legislature stayed in session so long, explained by asking a question, “Why would a legislator want to go home where he or she would be treated like an ordinary human being? They can stay in Raleigh and be treated like kings and queens. Why go home?” The change to a full-time legislature might be gradual, as was the shift from biennial to annual sessions, but there will be no going back. Mark Twain said, “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” In North Carolina, that is going to mean all the time. By establishing the precedent of staying in session indefinitely, this legislature’s failure to adjourn was its most important action this year. • D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina Bookwatch,” which airs at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and at 5 p.m. Sundays on UNC-TV.
Letters to the Editor
The heart of Asheville? Like cells of caterpillar
Within the concept of “as above, so below,” or the macro equaling the micro, could Asheville be like the imaginal cell of the caterpillar, those specialized stem cells that are biological duplicates, but carry a different idea of what they ae going to be; hence the butterfly? Is this mountain town a micro collective of the whole, aka America, (or close)? Can we be the potential who choose to love and protect our land, food, water, community and support our greater family? What of the unbridled aggression against Gaza by Israel? Does the brazen disregard for civilian populations, the breaking of treaties and virtual genocide of a people not speak also of our own Native American people and atrocities they have experiences at the hands of the occupiers? Could this current rampage of hate in some way reflect society’s broad disregard for the care, respect and love of our mother Earth and the cruel and brutal treatment we condone and even support against her? Can we allow the destruction of the soil
and expect to harvest from the tree? What ios the problem with helping desperate children at any border get care, love and protection? Change is all around us, like the winds that stir before a storm. The air pressure shifts and that electric smell is in the area. This is when you clear off the porch of what might blow away, shut the windows and with anticipation, somehow feel excited about what’s coming next. That’s where we are now, folks. Sorting out what will weather the storm, not sure what’s to come. Most are sensing a need to focus, clear the decks, plug the leaks and acknowledge that actions speak louder than words, and act in that truth. Our Earth needs her people to speak out for love and shift the paradig now, remembering always to respect, love and trust yourself and share that trust by respecting others the way you hope to be treated. We are the those ones who we’re waiting for; that time is now. Hold the dream, Asheville. WILLIAM S. CHALK Asheville See LETTERS, Page A17
The Candid Conservative
The downhill run: The left’s suicidal race to power ....
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” — 2 Corinthians 11:15
The Problem
B
ehind a façade of deficit funded prosperity, we are witnessing the incremental deconstruction of America’s middleclass. Liberalsocialist-progressives dedicated to power at any price are succeeding – and the consequences surround us.
The Method
The left’s weapon of choice is modest – promise something for nothing. With these simple words reality – in the forms of responsibility, reason and right –is effortlessly exchanged for the pleasantries of entitlement, emotion and immorality. Liberalism thus charms the masses for the same reason running downhill is more fun than climbing. If you are a conservative-minded Democrat, you might want to take a refresher look. Progressives have thoroughly kidnapped your party Whistle Blower with three core appeals – (1) Entitlements in exchange for voter loyalty (2) Cronyism for the rich and powerful and (3) Pretend compassion as a magnet for the rest of us.
The Outcome
Look to our social welfare, healthcare, military and public safety systems for clues on the left’s ultimate impact. In each case the productive, value driven and responsible are being crushed with an unsustainable burden – compensating for those trained to milk versus elevate America. Speak to social workers about their excessive workload, pervasive client fraud and the struggle to maintain a structure devoted to enabling versus uplifting. To the extent most enter social work with a sincere desire to help, a profound burnout rate
Carl Mumpower
reveals their participation in a demoralizing high pressure charade. Contrary to media cheerleaders, our healthcare system is primed for collapse. Chronically underfunded Medicare and Medicaid programs have too long been unofficially subsidized by the privately insured. Physician and pharmaceutical lobby success in rigging their special interests, combined with our society’s increasing indifference to lifestyle impacts on wellness, has further undermined system integrity. Obamacare is completing the knockout with unrealistic subsidies, funding postponements, exemption expansion and coverage excess. Witness the coming year’s fiftymillion dollar revenue shortfall in just one hospital system – Mission. Ask this monolith’s physicians, nurses and others how hard they work to keep the doors swinging – then duck and ask if they can do more. We have abused our military for a decade plus by repeatedly inserting the best of us into futile ground entanglements in corrupt foreign lands. Review the folly of investing tomorrow’s defense dollars in yesterday’s political vanities in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then ponder if the deteriorating mess we left behind had a positive impact on our safety and freedom – or theirs? The U.S. criminal justice system has digressed into a portal to hell. By design, it does one thing well – feed attorneys. The track record for timely, affordable, fair, predictable and accountable justice is abysmal by every objective measurement. That is important because nothing works without safety. The thin blue line between us and our society’s predators is being progressively worn down by a justice system politically programmed to fail. See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page A17
Commentary I recently sent a snarky reply to an e-mail thread concerning one of Asheville’s few downtown parks. For those familiar with the city, it was Pritchard, but the particular issues involved can be easily understood without specific knowledge of this city or that park. The fact that I sometimes send snarky replies is not here contested. The following is an elaboration of the objections I voiced in that reply. • nce upon a time there was a pleasant little park in a lovely little city. Because CLEAN AND TIDY people loved the pleasant little park they had pushed for improvements, including plantings, park benches, and a soothingly splashy water feature. Generous local residents, seeing that the (long time) previously installed marble chess boards had been placed in unhelpful locations and without useful seating, paid for refurbishment of the marble chess boards, relocation, and installation of chess player seating. Unfortunately, the lovingly refurbished park attracted people. (SO much better if people just stayed away!) Alarmingly, chess players started playing chess. Lunchers started lunching. Idlers stopped in to idle. Most unfortunately, many of the people attracted to the refurbished park were PEOPLE NOT LIKE US. So, naturally, many of the CLEAN AND TIDY people who had pushed for the park refurbishment, and many who had actually helped with the refurbishment, and some who had actually helped maintain
O
Asheville Daily Planet —September 2014 — A15
On the left
People not like us Cecil Bothwell the refurbished park through litter picking and plant plantings ... many of these felt affronted that PEOPLE NOT LIKE US were frequenting the park. Even more unfortunately, some of the very poor PEOPLE NOT LIKE US were asking CLEAN AND TIDY people for money. That is, they were panhandling. While panhandling is protected speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it is, as many CLEAN AND TIDY folks are quick to note, unseemly. Nor was this reaction, nor this attitude, confined to this particular park. PEOPLE NOT LIKE US were seen to be congregating around park benches situated hither and thither in the lovely little city. Particularly, it must be noted, they were congregating around park benches situated in the shade. And also, to be completely clear, congregating around a particular park bench situated in close proximity to the lovely little city’s central public library.
(Here it must be noted that with the collapse of the NC mental health care system, lately abetted by the Republican Party, but, in all fairness, initiated under the previous Democratic administrations, county jails and public libraries have become the institutions of last resort for those sad souls who have “slipped through the cracks” as our modern euphemism terms those collaterally damaged by general societal failure. At least in the public libraries the PEOPLE NOT LIKE US can come and go and use computers, perhaps doze in the periodical section, benefits not provided in lock-up.) The lovely little city promptly removed the park bench adjacent to the library, which cheered the CLEAN AND TIDY crowd no end. Soon a bench some blocks away, in a shady place, which sported a brass sculpture of fruit and a hat (meant to commemorate an era when people ate fruit and wore hats), was cut in half — purportedly to enhance its historicity, though, perhaps unintentionally, limiting the seating capacity for PEOPLE NOT LIKE US. The bench was reduced so much that it became more a pedestal for the art installation than functioning bench, which uplifted the CLEAN AND TIDY crowd immeasurably.
During those years a substantial majority of voters in the pleasant little city indicated that they would love nothing more than to create another pleasant little park adjacent to the city’s reigning architectural landmark—a magnificent church. In public opinion polls and in active demonstrations, even letter writing and petitioning, the people made clear that they wanted to see the city’s surface parking lot converted to a lush and lovely park. Sadly, the CLEAN AND TIDY people convinced a majority of City Council members that the proposed park was unaffordable, would be a burden rather than a boon to the city tax base, and most significantly (though merely whispered) that it was bound to attract PEOPLE NOT LIKE US in unseemly numbers. And so the elected officials ignored the people who elected them, again and again and again. • Cecil Bothwell, author of nine books, including “She Walks On Water: A novel” (Brave Ulysses Books, 2013), is a member of Asheville City Council.
Write a Letter to the Editor
The Asheville Daily Planet print letters to the editor, preferably less than 150 words in length. All letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for confirmation purposes only. Send your opinions to Asheville Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 or e-mail them to letters@ AshevilleDailyPlanet.com.
Carlton Whatley Computer Consulting www.cwhatleyconsulting.com
828.776.3339
cw@carltonwhatley.com
WHAT WE DO:
Small Business Consulting Backup Solutions - OnSite + OffSite Network Setup - Wired + Wireless New PC Installations Data Recovery Remote + Onsite Maintenance / Support Windows / Mac Desktop Support Server / Network Adminstration Internet / E-mail / Internet Security Malware / Virus Removal / Prevention Website Design / Maintenance
√ Integrity √ Courtesy √ Reliability “Integrity is the essence of everything successful”
~ Buckminster Fuller
A16 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Commentary To overpower outlaws, cast your vote in November
N
ovember 2, 2010 – the day the voters of North Carlina turned the town over to outlaws. Of course, nobody knew they were outlaws on Election Day. We didn’t find that out until they took power. And then we knew. Oh, did we. The outlaws tossed aside their cloaks, and their eyes took on a tell-tale greedy glint. Very soon after they gained power, the outlaws made certain that they wouldn’t lose power. They didn’t ban elections. They drew boundaries of legislative districts so that a majority of Republicans would win easily. So in most of the state’s districts, the outcome of the election would never be in doubt. Voters would feel they did their democratic duty by voting, but their votes would be meaningless. Then they went to work on the election process itself. Outlaws tend to scoff at elections. For decades, Democrats had made voting more accessible, so more citizens could vote. Republicans reversed all that and added more obstacles to voting by seniors and minorities (who vote Democratic). Interesting how a person reveals his character when he gets power. Republicans showed greed and arrogance. For decades the minority Republicans – not yet outlaws – had begged Democrats for more power-sharing in state government. But when they got power themselves, sharing wasn’t on their minds. They came with far-reaching legislation that changed the lives of all North Carolinians, from schools to tax structure, and they did it with no proper debate or deliberation. Laws whooshed through the General Assembly, often with inadequate time for reading, sometimes in the middle of the night. They were advised, over and over, “You can’t do that.
Lee Ballard It’s unconstitutional.” To which they replied, “Didn’t you see the results of the election?” Verbatim Tom Tillis quote. (Interpreted into Outlaw language: “Constitution? We don’t care ‘bout no stinkin’ Constitution.”) In fact, they couldn’t do that, not lf they wanted to live by the state Constitution. But that’s the way of an outlaw, isn’t it? They work outside the law. Is this constitutional ignorance? At the takeover in 2011, it’s true that none of the Republicans had experience in leading government. No, I think this is just a deeper level of arrogance. Anybody or anything that gets in their way, including the state Constitution, they ignore as “obstructionist.” Then last month, their arrogance reached unprecedented
heights and depths. As the Raleigh News&Observer reported: “After passing laws imposing new conditions on abortions and elections, taking away teacher tenure and providing vouchers for private school tuition, Republican state legislators have seen those policies stymied in state and federal courtrooms. “So they have passed another law, this one making those kinds of lawsuits less likely to succeed when filed in state court. Beginning in September, all constitutional challenges to laws will be heard by three-judge trial court panels appointed by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.” (Note: the chief justice is a very partisan Republican.) As a townsperson, I don’t want outlaws running my town. I don’t like rich guys getting richer at my expense. I want my vote to count. I want the best education for my neighbors’ kids. I want good people running my town again. Vote, people! Vote! Whatever else you do this November, VOTE! • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.
State Inspection
State Inspection General $25ºº
$25ºº
Brake Service
$110ºº
Easy Street Auto & Tire 889 Riverside Drive • Asheville • 255-5528
√ Free estimates √ Wholesale new tires √ Complete auto repair √ In business in Asheville since 1997
Ebola worries? Come see us! Haven’t spent your tax refund money yet?
Come to the Ammo Depot!
ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY Holistic before it was cool!
Since 1990 NATURAL AND ORGANIC FOODS AND TREATS Wellness, Solid Gold, Wysong, Nature’s Variety, Raw Frozen, EVO, Innova, California Natural
Herbal remedies Flower Essences Homeopathic Remedies WHAT MORE COULD YOUR PET NEED? Toys! Lots of toys! The fun place to shop for you and your best friend.
ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY 1451 Merrimon Ave., Asheville (828) 252-2054
• We carry ammo, bulletproof vests
We offer pepper spray & stun guns for security
Your local source for:
√ Heirloom seeds √ Freeze-dried and dehydrated food
√ Military paracord √ Survival silver
dimes, quarters, half-dollars
• Camo • Tactical Gear • Blackhawk • Flags • Army Surplus • MREs • Water Purifiers • Medical Supplies • Survival Training No Double Discounts
Candid Conservative Continued from Page A14
The Players
Those who produce and contribute are being crushed by those – at both ends – who consume and take. Wall Street financiers and corrupted business interests fund and are thus predictably supported by both political parties. The less fortunate among us are increasingly seduced with lotterylevel hope in the form of government subsistence over personal initiative and hard work. On both ends of this spectrum of deceit, accountability is missing-in-action while the middle-class eats the outcome.
The Solutions
No society can survive a lasting flirtation with irresponsibility. Crony capitalists will not reform until their opportunities are bet-
ter matched to consequence. Government handouts do more to encourage human vegetation than growth. We are thereby being converted into a nation of thieves – think Moral Monday activists – comfortable with reaching into our neighbor’s pockets. Skin in the game is an essential ingredient to sustainable prosperity. As regards America’s slide, time is not our friend. The appetite for taking is addictive and at some point those who abuse our heretofore resilient culture will exceed those who sustain it. Lazy is an eager recruiter. Fortunately, as individuals, families and small groups, we remain free to chart our own course. A functional moral compass, willingness to work and personal dedication to America’s traditional success equa-
Asheville Daily Planet —September 2014 — A17
tion – liberty, opportunity and responsibility – are good places to start. It is time America’s hardworking middleclassers face their tormenters. Until the political seducers, entitlement addicts and fake capitalists benefitting from the scam are challenged, the downhill run will accelerate. There are those who suggest our social slide has reached its tipping point. Culturists of character and conscience can slow it down. That is important because at the bottom lies socialism’s inevitable uniting outcome – an abyss.… Tip of the month – In an ever crazier world, it is a good idea to have enhanced capacity to feed and protect your family. Somewhere between doom and gloom and Alfred E. Newman’s “What me worry?” rests a place of reason. Best play on food – some months of storable items. Best way
– 30 year shelf-life buckets from Augason Farms online at Sam’s Club. Best play on protection – firearms stand 1st among defensive weapons. Best way – 9mm large capacity pistols cover the most bases. It is for good reason Maslow grounded his hierarchy of needs on food and safety. • Do you have information about a source of mischief in our community? You can safely contact us at 828-252-8390 or drmumpower@aol.com. We are offering a $500 reward for information on corruption, crime, or other harms you share in confidence and we reveal in print. Bad things grow in the dark. We have a flashlight – do you have a whistle? • Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@thecandidconservative. com.
salaries of senior county staff. In that article, Mr. Mumpower refers to a “point of light” being found in Sheriff Duncan’s $117,000 a year salary as being “about average” with other big county sheriffs in North Carolina. Mr. Mumpower suggests that “Next time you see Sheriff Duncan, thank him for serving and not taking advantage.” For me, I would rather ask questions related to the things Mike Bustle is speaking out about since there certainly seems to be far more to be considered than what these two articles represented when deciding who should be the next Buncombe County sheriff — things any responsible voter should be concerned about. Andrew Brooks Arden
Workshop set to clarify misconceptions on PEVs
Letters to the Editor Continued from Page A14
Sheriff’s candidate story triggers reader’s criticism
Dear Asheville Daily Planet, may I help your writers fill in the blanks? In the August edition article entitled “Challenger fires torrent of criticisms at sheriff,” I was unable to equate a “torrent of criticisms” to the writers sole mentioning of how Buncombe County Sheriff Candidate Mike Bustle believes that the county would be better served if the Sheriff’s Department focused more on neighborhood and business district patrols than on state road traffic enforcement. That was it! The rest of the article only went on to highlight some of Mike Bustle’s stories of his upbringing and thirty plus years of law enforcement in North Carolina. Left out of the summation was much of the more pertinent facts qualifying Bustle as one of the most diversely experienced law enforcement professionals in North Carolina such as graduating from the FBI Academy, serving as a chief of police for eight years, being a seasoned narcotics investigator, arson investigator, sheriff’s internal affairs investigator and more. Now, if I had just read the article without having heard firsthand the issues and experience Mike Bustle speaks about, I would be saying so what’s the big deal? To make the article more accurate to its title of “torrent of criticisms,” I would have rather read how Mike Bustle states that he believes that the U.S. Constitution means what it says precisely as its written unlike Sheriff Duncan who has publicly stated believes the U.S. Constitution
is a “living document”(1). As the article stated Bustle is a “fiscal conservative” so I would have also liked to have read about how Mike Bustle speaks on Van Duncan’s campaign of 2006 when Duncan stated: “Too much money is spent on salaries for people in administrative roles”(2) but in 2011 each of Duncan’s top commanders got annual raises of nearly $13,000 (3). Bustle also speaks about how Sheriff Duncan is the first sheriff in Buncombe County history that has needed to hire a highly paid staff person just to help him manage the Sheriff’s Department’s budget. A budget that has nearly doubled to over $31 million in the 8 years Duncan has been sheriff. Even with the increases, Sheriff Duncan has historically gone over budget. Then there is the crime related to drugs that remains a major issue in Buncombe County even after Sheriff Duncan’s eight years in office. Mike also speaks on issues concerning the jail, school safety and other topics relevant to being an effective sheriff. Without knowing that Mike Bustle speaks to more than just the issue of deputies needlessly doing the job of the SHP, I would have likely come away from the article thinking Mike Bustle does not have much ability or platform. In the world of journalistic steering and spin, I just hope covertly minimizing Bustle was not the writer’s agenda. As a citizen who has heard Mike Bustle speak and has done his own investigative research, I would have stayed true to the article’s title and also substituted the negative word of “criticisms” with the word: opposition. Additionally on topic but in a different article appearing in the same August issue, Mr. Carl Mumpower in his enlightening Candid Conservative piece discusses the out-of-joint
We buy collector coins and gold and silver bullion 1271 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville Family-owned and operated for 40 years
Open Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
I-40 to Exit 51, turn left, go 1.3 miles
Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) offer many advantages, a few of which were outlined in my September 2013 Daily Planet article (see www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/ opinion/3098). But an intense campaign of mis- and disinformation continues to cloud the truth about PEVs. To cut through the fog, Sept. 15-21 has been designated as National Drive Electric Week. Local events include screenings of the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” on Wed., Sept. 17, and its sequel “Revenge of the Electric Car” on Thurs, Sept. 18. See LETTERS, Page A18
Old Grouch’s Military Surplus 82 Main Street, Clyde • 828-627-0361 www.oldgrouch.com
Spring is here - are you ready? The Old Grouch’s Military Surplus is located justMilitary 20 minutes west of Arctic Stove s in stock Asheville and is WNC’s oldest REAL now- burns military surplus store. diesel, kerosene,With the best jet fuel, wood or prices found anywhere, the money you even coal! Great for you hunting camp, garage, a back the drive. save will more thanorjustify up heating source for the house!! Follow us on Facebook for announcements of more great deals!
MRE’s — we We
now have real, brand-new stock FRESH, military Jerry cans for safe fuel quality meals, storage! Ammo cans, camo complete meals, full cases and clothing, field gear, tactical gear even individualand much more. Firstentrees.
Scout Canvas Wall Tent Wool Blankets, Military Sleeping
Looking for a real, old fash-
aid kits — we have
Western Bags, Immersion heaters, Boots, North made in the USA canvas Camo Clothing, andioned, much much Carolinas selection of first-aid wall We just foundgreatest a deal. more — well worth the drivetent? to Clyde
kits, from hiking to to a complete to see WNC’s best REAL military These were made on aasmall consurplus store! trauma kit! tract for a scout camp that fell through....
A18 — September 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Letters to the Editor Continued from Page A17 Both films start at 6:30 p.m. in 125 Rhoades-Robinson at UNC Asheville, with post-film discussions led by the UNCA Mechatronics Engineering Program. On Fri., Sept. 19, the Land of Sky Regional Council will host a workshop on workplace-charging at the Asheville AREA Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. The main event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 21, in the parking lot of the
Asheville Public Works Building at 161 Charlotte St. PEV owners and dealerships from around the region will gather to answer questions, give rides, and generally celebrate the arrival of modern electric transportation. Details of these and many other activities can be found at driveelectricweek.org.
The organizers of NDEW Asheville appreciate the Daily Planet’s ongoing commitment to informed public discourse, and hope that your readers will join us for the National Drive Electric Week festivities. Dave Erb Asheville
New AR-15s starting at $615!
LIVE-IN CARE FOR ELDERLY OR DISABLED
Male, with live-in care experience and references, wishes to relocate to Asheville and seeks employment as non-medical caretaker for elderly or handicapped person. Sober, reliable, drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. Clean criminal record and very patient and nurturing. Also experienced in tutoring special needs children (primarily Asperger’s and autism)
Call 276-608-0839
Get a jump on autumn! Commercial & Residential • Instant Sodding Service • Old Yard Renovation • All Types of Shrubbery, Trees & Landscape Design • Spring & Fall Clean-Ups
• All Types of Retaining Walls • Leaf & Debris Removal • No Job Too Large or Too Small • Light Grading - Bobcat & Trackhoe • We Specialize in Large Trees
• Snow Removal CHARLIE’S
Charlie’s Lawn & Landscape Service Fully Insured • Call for Estimates
828.298.3285
Owner: Charles R. Lawrence
Serving Western North Carolina since 1967
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — A19
Classified Advertising
1. Announcements
4. Employment
4. Employment
STEEL BUILDINGS
Discounted Factory Inventory, 14x36, 38x50, 48x96, 60x150. Misc. Sizes, limited availability www.utilityking.com Source #1GU 866-609-4321.
PART-TIME JOB with full-time benefits. You can receive cash bonus, monthly paycheck, job training, money for technical training or college, travel, health benefits, retirement and more more! Call now and learn how the National Guard can benefit
you and your family! 1-800-GO-GUARD. Part-TimeR needed to assist busy entrepreneur with organizing and purging paperwork on nights and weekends. Call 713-6336.
All We Do Is...
VAPOR!
√ Asheville’s Finest e-liquid √ Best Selection of e-Cig Hardware √ Over 150 Premium Flavors Tarheel Metal Structures 4 X 6.3 sheville Vapor is made in the beaucolor
A
tiful mountains of Asheville North Carolina. Our artisans are zealots for quality and every bottle of liquid is mixed to deliver a delicious and satisfying vaping experience.
NOW OFFERING ORGANIC ALL-NATURAL 100% VG e-LIQUID!
2144-B Hendersonville Rd. • Arden 28704 (Across from Black Forest Restaurant)
10% OFF
Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. • Sun., Noon-5 p.m.
With This Coupon
Facebook Us • 828-393-VAPE (8273)
Newcomb Tree Service “If you can’t cut ‘em, we’ll Newcomb!”
• Free estimates & • Stump grinding fully insured & lot clearing • Tree removal, • Crane removal trimming & pruning • Trackhoe • Bucket truck & services chipper
Your Purchase
Not including sale items. One coupon per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 09/30/14
Handyman Service √ 50 years’ experience √ No job too small
or (828) 674-3421 State Inspection State Inspection
$25ºº
$25ºº
$110ºº
$99ºº
$139ºº
$139ºº
ABOVE & BEYOND? • Drywall & Plaster Repair • Residential & Commercial Painting • Wallpaper Removal • Pressure Cleaning
General Brake General ServiceBrake Service
Axle Replacement Axle Replacement
Mention this ad for a 10% Discount
Easy Street Auto & Tire
828.777.1226
√ Free estimates √ Wholesale new tires √ Complete auto repair √ In business in Asheville since 1997
Pat Newcomb
Need a Painter Who Will Go
889 Riverside Drive • Asheville • 255-5528
Call Johnny for a Free Estimate!
828-606-3874
South Asheville
Custom Painting
A20 —September 2014 — Asheville Daily Planet
Quality Tree Service
Offering the following professional services: Tree Removal • Tree Pruning Stump Grinding • Storm Damage Lot Cleaning • Brush Removal Clean Up • Dead Wood Removal View Clearing • Limb Removal Dangerous Tree Removal Firewood Sales @ $200/Cord
We do all phases of tree work • Free estimates 15 years’ experience • Licensed & fully insured
24-Hour Emergency Service Call Anthony / Owner
828-552-6274 or 828-775-6210
Concert Reviews
and Calendar of Events
Special Section PULLOUT
B1
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014
Special photos by Frank Zipperer
Above, Rockell Scott sings and plays piano, accompanied by (from left) Shannon Hoover, bass; Phillip Bronson, drums; and Andy Page, guitar.
Rockell Scott sizzles at jazz cabaret By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
BLACK MOUNTAIN — Asheville jazz singer extraordinaire Rockell Scott turned The Beatles’ 1965 hit “Yesterday” inside out, taking it beyond rock, beyond jazz into the gospel realm, as she dazzled the crowd during a more-than-two-hour concert Aug. 22 at the White Horse nightclub in the heart of downtown. Combining poignancy with playfulness, Scott abruptly started her rendition of “Yesterday” midway through the lyrics, wailing, “But did he have to go?... I don’t know... Did I say something wrong? ...Now I long for yesterday....” Afterward, the crowd cheered and gave her sustained applause. Other highlights of Scott’s show — with one-two punches of vocal pyrotechnics immediately following her deconstruction and reconstruction of “Yesterday” — were rollicking, joyous, perhaps even profound, renditions of two fastpaced jazz classics — “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” As usual, she was at her very best improvising as a scat singer at warp speed, in a style that the late, great Sarah Vaughan made famous. (Scat singing is the use of short syllables to imitate the sound of instruments.) Scott’s vocal range seems to have no limits — and her obvious and almost ethereal joy while singing makes one wonder if — indeed — heaven is missing an angel. A final highlight was a moving rendition — halfway through the show — of “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” featuring Scott, 42, singing side-by-side with her daughter, Leeanne, 13. The younger Scott showed great promise with her vocals and stage presence — and the saucy playfulness between the veteran jazz-singer and her unpolished-buttalented daughter was priceless. Performing solo just before the aforementioned motherdaughter act was Lily Merrill, 11, who sang Louis Armstrong’s classic, “What a Wonderful World” — and she did it her way, albeit looking to Scott, who was playing the piano right next to her and occasionally giving her cues on when to sing. Lily’s performance drew enthused applause from the crowd. She is a cheerleader at her school and the daughter of Doug and Christina Merrill of Fairview. The show, part of the White Horse’s Cabaret Jazz Series with what was billed as a tribute to women in jazz, drew about 75 people. Scott said she would perform some songs by such female jazz greats as Shirley Horn to Dianne Reeves, among others, as a salute. However, it was not made clear — at least to this critic — which songs, if any, were sung to honor them. In addition to singing, Scott played piano during the first two-thirds of the show, as part of a quartet that included Andy Page, guitar; Shannon Hoover, bass; and Phillip
Scott excels at scat singing and, brimming with spirit and charisma, seems to naturally connect with audiences — and even her fellow bandmates. Bronson, drums. The show’s singular flaw was the very idea of having Scott sitting behind a piano, with her back at least onethird turned from the audience, during the first set. Admittedly, she is a quite-talented pianist and, to some degree, the instrument appears to serve as a security blanket to her. However, unquestionably, Scott should be front and center ... and standing and swaying (as she was later in the show), clad in her elegant black dress with black high heels, exuding attitude and allure from a mysterious, romantic era long ago — and electrifying the crowd with her rich vocals, charisma and delightful — and jazz-inspired — body movements, without the distraction of pianoplaying and without her back to the crowd. A few bucks needs to be paid for someone else to play the piano, so that Rockell Scott (left) sings a duet with her 13-year-old the jewel in the crown — Scott — can sparkle as a singer daughter Leeanne in a moving and memorable rendiwithout distraction. See ROCKELL, Page B7 tion of the jazz standard, “Our Love Is Here to Stay.”
B2 - August 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.
Monday, Sept. 1
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Bill Spellman will address “Community and Authority in the Medieval West.” He is executive director of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. The lecture is free and open to the public. King Apple Parade, 2:30 p.m., downtown Hendersonville. As part of the N.C. Apple Festival, the King Apple Parade will be held on Labor Day.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
SHAG LESSONS/DANCING, 6:30-10 p.m., Showtime Saloon, 97 Underwood Rd., Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club is offering shag lessons — for free — every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. No partner is needed. Shag dancing will follow from 7 to 10 p.m., with rotating DJs and a $5 cover charge. World Affairs Council PROGRAM, 7:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A WAC address will be presented on “Ukraine: The Anatomy of a Crisis.”
Wednesday, Sept. 3
CONCERT, 12:25 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Patrick Dodd, a blues-Southern rock musician, will perform in concert with Anne Coombs, Harry Lewis and Wayne Kirby. The show is free and open to the public. OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra, a community orchestra directed by Milton Crotts, will hold an open rehearsal. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Cherokee stickball demonstration, 6 p.m., Intramural Field, UNC Asheville. A Cherokee stickball demonstration will feature the Wa Le Lu “Hummingbird” team. Admission is free and open to the public. ANTI-FRACKING FILM SCREENING, 6 p.m., Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech, Asheville. WNC Frack Free will screen the film “GasLand.” A panel discussion will follow the film. The screening is free and open to the public. 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, 7 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. Our Voice will hold its 40th anniversary celebration, billing the gala as “40 Years of Starting Conversations.” The event will feature keynote speaker Anita Hill, Brandeis University professor of Law. Hill started a nationwide conversation by disclosing her experience of workplace sexual harrassment that focused the country’s attention on a difficult topic often met with avoidance and silence. A welcome reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit Malaprop’s Books, aSHEville Museum, or rvoice@ourvoicenc.org.
Friday, Sept. 5
HUMANITIES LECTURE, 11:25 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. Oliver Gloag will address “Post Colonialism and the Cold War: Imperial Imperatives and Untold Narratives.” Gloag is an assistant professor of foreign languages. The lecture is free and open to the public. Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Jeff Konz will address “Industrialization, Capitalism, and Alienation.” Konz is a professor of economics. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Sept. 6
CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8 p.m., parking lot next to Firehouse Subs, 229 Airport Rd., Arden. The 96.5 Band will play oldies music for listening or dancing. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free. CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., freen space in front of Hick-
ory Tavern and Brixx Pizza, Biltmore Park, Asheville. Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues will perform in an outdoor concert. Admission is free. JO DEE MESSINA CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Rd., Franklin. Jo Dee Messina will perform. Since debuting in 1996 with the hit single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” she has charted nine No. 1 singles and sold more than 5 million records worldwide. For tickets, which are $26, $33 and $37, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com, or call 524-1598.
Monday, Sept. 8
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Grant Hardy will address “Celestial Kingdom: China.” Hardy is a professor of history and religious studies. Admission is free and open to the public. MOVE TO AMEND MEETING, 7 p.m., North Asheville Library, Asheville. The group Move to Amend Buncombe County will meet.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
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, Sept. 10
PEACE 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. The Blue Ridge Orchestra, a community orchestra directed by Milton Crotts, will hold an open rehearsal. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thanks for reading the Asheville Daily Planet
Thursday, Sept. 11
STEM Lecture, 4:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Bill Rosskind of the Asheville Astronomy Club will address “New Developments in Space-Based Astronomy.” The STEM interdisciplinary lecture series focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Admission is free and open to the public.
Friday, Sept. 12
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. John McClain will address “1848: Romanticism and its Discontents.” McClain is a humanities lecturer. Admission is free and open to the public. HUMANITIES LECTURE, 11:25 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. Grace Campbell will address “Human Rights & Global Justice.” Campbell is a humanities lecturer. Admission is free and open to the public. ANTI-FRACKING MEETING, 5-9 p.m., Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. After requests from individuals, organizations and businesses in Western North Carolina, the Mining and Energy Commission has voted unanimously to hold a meeting in the western part of the state. The concern about fracking in the mountains was galvanized by the passage this summer of Senate Bill 786, which lifted the moratorium on issuing state permits for hydraulic fracturing for gas, possibly as soon as next spring. The MEC is expected to finalize the oil and gas rules before the end of 2014, with possible issuance of permits by spring 2015. The comment deadline is Sept. 30. RIVERMUSIC CONCERT, 5-10 p.m., Sculpture and Performance Plaza, River Arts District, Riverside Drive (along the French Broad River), Asheville. Featured will be bluegrass music by Fruition and Fireside Collective. Gates open at 5 p.m. Each show in the series features a beer from different breweries and food trucks. Admission is free. BARNAROO MUSIC FESTIVAL, 7:30 p.m., Grace Meadows Farm, John France Road, Jonesborough, Tenn. The Barnaroo Music Festival will feature headline Matt Wertz. Admission is $15 for the general public and free for ages 15 and younger. For tickets, visit www.barnaroo.com.
See CALENDAR, Page B3
Tell our advertisers — who enable us to bring you this newspaper for FREE every month — that you saw their promotions in the Daily Planet!
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — B3
A Riders in the Sky concert will be presented at 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at the John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
Calendar of Events Continued from Page B2
Saturday, Sept. 13
SHINING ROCK RIVERFEST, noon, Camp Hope, 312 Camp Hope Rd., Canton. Shining Rock Riverfest will feature nine Appalachian music bands for $10 for general admission, and free for ages 12 and younger. Also featured will be barbecue and arts and crafts vendors. For tickets, call 400-7499. LECTURE, 2 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Phillip Jamison will address “Myth and Misconceptions of Mountain Dance.” Jamison is a professor of Appalachian music at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa. His talk will be presented in conjunction with the Asheville History Center’s exhibition “Hillbilly Land: Myth and Reality of Appalachian Culture.” A $5 donation requested upon admission. POLKA DANCE LESSON WORKSHOP, 2-4 p.m., Asheville Ballroom, 991 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville. A two-hour polka dance lesson workshop will teach the basics, turns, heel toe taps, spins and more. The class is for all ages and levels of experience. Admission is $25. CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8 p.m., parking lot next to Firehouse Subs, 825 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville. Tom Brown, One Man Band will play oldies music for listening or dancing. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and blankets. Admission is free.
Sunday, Sept. 14
RIDERS IN THE SKY CONCERT, 3 p.m., John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. The 10th annual WCU Galaxy of Stars Series will launch with a return engagement of country and western icons Riders in the Sky, a Grammy Award-winning group that
performed in the inaugural season of the series. The group, featured in the film “Toy Story,” is known for its award-winning harmonies, wacky cowboy wit and high-yodeling adventures. For single-show tickets, which are $21, call 227-2479, or visit www. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu. CONCERT, 3 p.m., Flat Rock Cinema, Singleton Center, 2700 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock. Matt King will perform. For tickets, which are $15, call 6972463, or visit www.magnolia-concertseries.com. PUBSING, 6-8 p.m., French Broad Brewery, 101 Fairview Rd., Asheville. A PubSing gathering will be held to sing old-time gospel and Americana inspirational music. Admission is free.
Monday, Sept. 15
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Keya Maitra will address “Medieval India.” Maitra is the chair of the UNCA Philosophy Department and an associate professor of philosophy. Admission is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra, a community orchestra directed by Milton Crotts, will hold an open rehearsal. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 18
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 Blue Dogs. Admission is free.
See CALENDAR, Page B4
B4 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — B5
Calendar Events
Continued from Page B3
Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. Bret Michaels will perform in concert. Regarding his concert, the casino noted, “Staying true to his ‘Road Dog’ moniker, Bret Michaels is hitting the road and rockin’ Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center this September. Don’t miss out, secure your advance tickets today before they are gone! This show is sure to be a rock and roll party you won’t want to miss!” For tickets, visit www.Ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.
Thursday, Sept. 18
METRO ECONOMY OUTLOOK, 5:30-7 p.m., Grand Ballroom, The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville. The 15th annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook will feature Greg Ip, renowned economics expert at The Economist magazine and a Pulitzer Prizer-winner, as its keynote speaker. Ip will explain how national economic indicators may affect the regional economy. In addition, the other presenter, Chris Cavanaugh, president of Magellan Strategy Group, will highlight economic treds for the Asheville metro area, including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties. The event is open to the public and starts at 5 p.m. with networking, followed by presentations, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, which are $10 for Asheville Chamber of Commerce members, $15 for nonmembers and free for students, register online at web. ashevillechamber.org/events.
Friday, Sept. 19
Saturday, Sept. 20
“Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” will be presented at 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Sarah Judson will address “The Contagion of Freedom: Anti-Slavery, Women’s Rights, and Economic Justice.” Judson is an associate professor of history and Africana studies. Admission is free and open to the public. AGING LECTURE, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Ann Thompson will address “Aging in Place.” Thompson is an occupational therapist. She will explain how one can gain insight into ways to institute simple universal design principles that can help an individual to live in one’s home comfortably, safely and independently. Her talk is free and open to the public. Lunch will be available in the Reuter Café; brown bags are welcome. HUMANITIES LECTURE, 11:25 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. Dwight Mullen will address “Poverty & Plenty.” Mullen is a professor of political science. Admission is free and open to the public. Symphony Talk, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A “Symphony Talk with Daniel Meyer“ will be held. Meyer, music director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, will discuss the symphony’s next concert. Admission is free and open to the public.
DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 STREET FEST, 5-9 p.m., N. Lexington Ave. at the Interstate 240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The 26th annual Downtown After 5 monthly street festival will wrap up the season with the Asheville All Stars, which includes members of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Asheville Horns, Molly Parti and more. The opener will be Asheville Rock Academy, with its young performers. Besides live music, the street concert also will feature a wide selection of local and national beers and food. GAITHER CONCERT, 7 p.m., Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. The Gaither Homecoming Tour, featuring the award-winnng gospel band, will perform in concert. The WCU show will showcase the songs on the Gaither Vocal Band’s latest recording, “Hymns.” Also performing will be The Isaacs, The Nelsons, Buddy Greene, Charlotte Ritchie, Gene McDonald and Kevin Williams. For tickets, which are $73, $36 or $26 for adults, and $23 for seniors and children, visit gaither.com, or call 227-7677. INTERACTIVE BEATLES EXPERIENCE, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” will be presented. BRET MICHAELS CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s
WEST AFRICAN HARP PERFORMANCE, 3 p.m., Dobra Tea, 120 Broadway St., Black Mountain. Sean Gaskell will perform on the West African harp, which is a 21-string instrument native to the Mande peoples of Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Mali. A $5 donation is suggested. “HOME BY DARK” SONGWRITERS SHOW, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Rd., Franklin. The show is billed as follows: “A NYC saxophonist, some Nashville hit songwriters and an all-star band walk into a bar... You won’t believe what happens next.” For tickets, which are $15-$30, visit www.greatmountainmusic.com, or call 524-1598.
Sunday, Sept. 21
ETHICAL SOCIETY LECTURE/DISCUSSION, 2-3:30 p.m.,The Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd. (near UNC Asheville), Asheville. A talk on ”The Genius of Common Sense” will be presented by Annie Butzner, an oncology-psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, at the monthly meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville. Butzner will share insights regarding Jane Jacobs, who along with Rachel Carson and Betty Friedan, rocked the foundations of American society in the last half of the 20th century. Jacobs has been described as “the greatest thinker and intellectual on cities from 1950 to 2006.” Butzner will show a short video, which will be followed by questions and group discussion. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation and light refreshments. All are welcome.
Monday, Sept. 22
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. John Wood and Agya Boakye-Boaten will address “African Cultural Spheres.” Wood is a professor of sociology and Boakye-Boaten is director and an assistant professor of Africana studies. Admission is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B5
The band Diamond Rio will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville.
Calendar Events
Continued from Page B4
Wednesday, Sept. 24
CONCERT, 2 p.m., Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville. Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will perform. Admission is free.
Friday, Sept. 26
NEWSPAPER TALK, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. John Awtry will address “The Asheville Citizen-Times’ Playbook.” Awtry is vice president and executive editor of the Asheville Citizen-Times and Greenville (S.C.) News. Attendees are urged to learn what the newspaper is doing to “address concerns, improve our work and fix local journalism at a national level.” Admission is free and open to the public. Lunch is available in the Reuter Café; brown bags are welcome. Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Dwight Mullen will address “Africa in the Modern World.” Mullen is a professor of political science. Admission is free and open to the public. HUMANITIES LECTURE, 11:25 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. Sarah Judson will address “Black Protest Thought.” Judson is an associate professor of history and Africana studies. Admission is free and open to the public. Opera Talk, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An “Opera Talk” will be given by David Craig Starkey, director of the Asheville Lyric Opera; and a cast of industry professionals who will guide attendees through their operatic world. Admission is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Sept. 27
COMPASSION TRAINING, 8:30 a.m., 417 Sherrill Center, UNC Asheville. Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi and Jennifer Mascaro will address “The Heart and Science of Compassion: An Introduction to Cognitively Based Compassion Training.” Negi is the founder and spiritual director of Drepung
Loseling Monastery Inc. and Mascaro is a biological anthropologist and lecturer of anthropology at Emory University. Admission is free and open to the public. FOLK FESTIVAL, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Burnsville Town Center, 6 S. Main St., Burnsville. The Music in the Mountains Folk Festival will be held. For tickets, which are $14, call 682-7215, or visit www.toeriverarts.org. CLINT BLACK CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., The Foundation Performing Arts Center, Isothermal Community College, Spindale. Clint Black will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $34 and $39, call the box office at 286-9990. JAKE OWEN CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. Jake Owen will perform in concert. For tickets, visit www. Ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000. DIAMOND RIO CONCERT, 8 p.m. U.S. Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. The group Diamond Rio will be the headliner for the Asheville Firefighters Assocation benefit concert. For tickts, call 236-1939 or (800) 745-3000, or visit www.Ticketmaster.com, or visit the U.S. Cellular
See CALENDAR, Page B6
Write a Letter to the Editor
The Asheville Daily Planet print letters to the editor, preferably less than 150 words in length. All letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for confirmation purposes only. Send your opinions to Asheville Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 or e-mail them to letters@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8-6 Servin WNC s g ince 1984
Butter • Cheese • Eggs • Bee Supplies Dried Beans • Spices gnc@msfmarket.com
Mountain Sunshine Farms • WNC Farmers Market 570 Brevard Road, Box 4, Asheville, NC 28806 • 828-258-5358
State In-
spection General Brake $25ºº Service General
$99ºº
Brake Service
$110ºº
Easy Street Auto & Tire 889 Riverside Drive • Asheville • 255-5528
√ Free estimates √ Wholesale new tires √ Complete auto repair √ In business in Asheville since 1997
Way beyond hip and trendy Asheville Daily Planet
B6 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Australian soft-rock band Air Supply, which charted eight Top 10 hits in the early 1980s, will perform at 9 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.
Calendar
Continued from Page B5
of
Events
Monday, Sept. 29
Humanities Lecture, 11:25 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Sophie Mills will address “Gender and Sexuality in Medieval Europe.” Mills is the National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Professor of Classics at UNCA. Admission is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
LECTURE, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. Michael Brenner will address “Why Weimar?” Brenner is a professor and scholar of Jewish history. His talk will explore the explosion of creativity from within Germany’s small Jewish population that took place between the end of World War I and the rise of Adolf Hitler. His address is part of UNCA’s “Evenings at the Cabaret Weimar” series. Admission is free and open to the public. BALSAM RANGE CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 53 Park St., Canton. The band Balsam Range will perform. For tickets, which are $20, call Amy Hollifield at 298-5330, ext. 303, or email her at amy@blueridgeheritage.com.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Jazz Concert, 3 p.m., St. Matthias Church, just off South Charlotte Street at Max Street on the hill across from the Asheville Public Works Building (1 Dundee St.), Asheville. A jazz concert will feature
the Rich Willey Quartet playing American standards. The ensemble includes Rich Willey on trumpet and bass trumpet, Richard Shulman on piano, Danny Iannucci on bass, and Russ Wilson, drums and vocals. A free-will offering will be taken for the band and for the restoration of the historic church.
Friday, Oct. 17
DANCE PERFORMANCE, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. The Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform Oct. 17-18.
Saturday, Oct. 18
COMEDY SHOW, 7:30 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. Comedian George Lopez will perform. For tickets, visit www.Ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.
Friday, Oct. 24
AIR SUPPLY CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. The group Air Supply will perform. For tickets, visit www. Ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
COMEDY SHOW, 8 p.m., U.S. Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Comedian Kevin James will perform. For tickets, visit www.Ticketmaster.com, or visit the U.S. Cellular Center box office.
Fiery — and wacky — comedian George Lopez will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2014 — B7
Rockell
Continued from Page B1 The first set began with “Eagle and Me,” followed by “Look of Love,” “Yesterday,” “Bye, Bye Blackbird,” “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Something’s Up” and concluded with the instrumental “Togethering,” featuring mind-bending guitar wizardry by Page. Following the performances with the youngsters of “Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “What a Wonderful World,” the second set began with Scott on her feet and front and center, singing a dramatic rendition of “Mood Indigo,” with a lengthy — and stellar — solo bass introduction by Hoover. Only Hoover’s bass accompanied Scott throughout the dramatic song. Other second-set highlights included renditions — with Scott simply singing, accompanied by the trio — of “In a Mellow Tone” and “This Is the End of a Beautiful Friendship,” among others. Scott, who grew up in Brevard, began to play piano and sing gospel songs at age 4, with her mother, Joan M. Bell. She went on to sing at Bethel “A” Baptist Church in Brevard. After high school (in February 1992), Scott entered the United States Air Force as a vocalist for the Air Force Band of MidAmerica, stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. During her tour of duty, she performed for thousands of individuals, from the Eastern Seaboard to the Pacific Ocean. Scott was also the featured singer at the 1st Annual Champagne and Diamonds Event: A Night with Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by pianist Pavel Wsolok. Scott has been featured at West Asheville’s Isis Restaurant and Jazz Hall, with Dr. William-
Special photos by Frank Zipperer
Rockell Scott, who performed Aug. 22 at the White Horse in Black Mountain, began playing the piano and singing gospel music with her mother at age 4. Later, she became a jazz singer, but her gospel roots are evident in her performances. Bares and trio; and with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut. This past January, Scott was the
vocal headliner at the “All That Jazz” Festival at Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn,
performing with Dr. William Bares and the Outlaws.
B8 - September 2014 - Asheville Daily Planet
Welcome to Prepper Camp™ 2014! Sept 12, 13, & 14 2014
Whether it is for the day, or for the entire weekend, Prepper Camp™ is a total immersion event in preparedness, survival, camp craft and homesteading skills. Listen to, ask questions of, and break bread with some of the best preparedness, survival, and homesteading experts in the world. Not only will you be able to go to scheduled classes, but you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a number of different areas of preparedness. Unlike attending an event inside a convention center, Prepper Camp is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and is held in a campground venue that allows you to experience preparedness information, survival skills, and camp-craft activities like no other preparedness conference.
Learn what you need to survive, meet speakers and vendors that have preparedness items that you need, all in an environment where you can swim, camp, fish, boat, hike, and cook-out. Experience a preparedness conference like no other, bring your family, meet like- minded people, listen to prepper music and entertainment, and come away with the knowledge, access to experts, and friends that could have your back in an emergency. Join 30 of the most knowledgeable preparedness speakers in the world, at a prepper event you will want to attend each and every year. For more information and for tickets: Go to www.PrepperCamp.com