Asheville Daily Planet May 2015

Elvis tribute artist: ‘hunk of burning love’ — See Review, Pg. B1

LEAF AVL to replace Bele Chere festival

Build a park on lot flanking Basilica

— See Story, Pg. A4

— See Editorial, Pg. A14

ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER

May 2015

Vol. 11, No. 06

An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE

UNCA Arts Fest: Fun in the sun

Economy fairly good, pundits say Asheville metro? Red-hot, nearly double U.S. recovery

By JOHN NORTH

john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com Daily Planet Staff Photos

The second annual UNC Asheville Arts Fest, showcasing outstanding acheivements in the arts, spanned four days, from April 8 to 11. Featured were traditional and avant-garde visual productions, music, theater, dance and even physics and astronomy. On a balmy and sunny April 11 (when these photos were taken), participants in an interactive theatrical adventure (top and bottom left) on Reynolds Green battle — sometimes merrily — to create a phantasmagororic drama.

Meanwhile, Amelia Rosenberg (top right) carefully stays balanced as she walks barefoot on a tight rope tied between two trees on the quad. The UNCA freshman with an undeclared major is from Columbus, Ohio. Also, the UNCA Bluegrass Ensemble (middle left) plays traditional Appalachian music on the quad’s main stage.

Republicans urged to pitch in now to get conservatives elected in ‘16 From Staff Reports

The 2016 election for president and U.S. Congress ranks among the most important in history, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., told about 175 Republicans April 18 at Renaissance Asheville Hotel downtown.

Burr, the keynote speaker at the Buncombe County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, urged the party faithful to shift — now — into full campaign mode so that conservatives who can take the nation in a new direction will be elected.

Also speaking were U.S. Reps. Patrick McHenry

and Mark Meadows; Mike Hager, a Rutherford County Republican and state House majority leader; and Michell Hicks, chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.

Burr is serving his second term in the Senate and will seek a third term next year. He previously served five terms in the U.S. House and recently became chairman of the Senate Intelligence Commitee.

BCGOP Chairman Nathan West said the event is “a celebration of two of our greatest presidents,” a social event for local Republicans and “one of our larger fundraisers” for the county party.

See REPUBLICANS, Page A8

Despite the weakest recovery following a recession in more than a century, the United States economy is in pretty good shape, two nationally renowned economists said April 16 at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium.

David Berson and James Smith also said that, in contrast with the tepid national recovery, the Asheville Metro Statistical Area is experiencing booming growth. Their comments were made to about 300 people during the 31rd annual Economic Crystal Ball Seminar.

As for the night’s featured topic, “The Fed: When Will It Tighten?”

Berson said the nation’s money supply will probably be tightened in September. The economists, as usual, spoke on a number of topics.

Berson, senior vice president and chief economist for Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio, said, “extraordinarily low unemployment claims” demonstrated a strong labor market.He added, “Lots of people still want full-time employment,” noting that the measure showing national underemployment “is still pretty high” — as is the gap between that and the traditionally used unemployment rate. Those numbers, respectively, were 10.9 percent and 5.5 percent for March.

Smith added, “if the rest of the United States looked like Asheville, the (Federal Reserve system) would’ve tightened interest rates eight months ago... However, the rest of the United States doesn’t look like Asheville....”

“We (the Asheville metro) fired the afterburners... I confess I don’t know what’s going on in Asheville” with the city’s rip-roaring economic recovery, Smith asserted. He is chief economist for Asheville-based Parsec Financial Inc., the event’s sponsor.

See ECONOMY, Page A7

The Advice Goddess

Amy Alkon

Q: I’ve always been a feelings stuffer, but I’ve been reading about vulnerability creating intimacy, blah, blah, blah, so I’m trying to be an open book.

Though my boyfriend appreciates this, he keeps telling me there’s a line between expressiveness and my making everything

Eat, pray you’ll shut up, love

an emotional issue to be hashed out. He last said this when I confessed that I had Googled his ex-girlfriend and felt threatened by how pretty she is. Should I have kept that to myself?

— Open Want to know the answer?

See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A18

A2 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

No tax boost foreseen in county budget

By JOHN NORTH

john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com

ENKA — The proposed Buncombe County budget for the next fiscal year is balanced with no planned tax increase, County Manager Wanda Greene told the Council for Independent Business Owners on April 10.

In her “State of the County” address to CIBO, Greene added that “one of the things we have to wait on is our education budgets,” which “won’t arrive till mid-May,” as is normally the case as funding and planning takes longer for education officials to figure out. However, Greene said she did not expect that the education budgets would require a county tax increase.

About 50 people attended the breakfast meeting in the Haynes Conference Center at A-B Tech’s Enka campus.

“Our budget is balanced and we’re not asking for anything new,” Greene said. “We’ve seen our biggest growth because of the Affordable Care Act” and N.C. FAST, which is an unfunded state mandate. “We’re able to compensate for that (growth in costs) by cutting from other areas.”

As for pruning costs, she said the county is “privatizing the management of our parking facilities. Parking is such a high demand” service, “it’s interesting to see how people compete” to provide it.

Greene also said that Buncombe is saving money by “privatizing management of our outdoor pools. That frankly takes a major workload off our staff.”

What’s more, she said, “We also did an early retirement (offer) last fall. One hundred thirty-one people left at the end of September (2014).” In the aftermath, “we eliminated some positions and rethought some other positions” to save money.

With a smile, Greene added, “A few things have happened” with county building projects “that are interesting” and have been highly publicized in the press. These, she said, include the following: • The construction of a Buncombe Departmnt of Health and Human Services building at 40 Coxe Avenue downtown. The 69,000-square-foot addition is well-located, Greene said, given that studies show about “40 percent of the people who use that facility” live within close proximity to it.

• The construction of Enka Intermediate school, which, according to the county manager, is “just down the road” from A-B Tech’s Enka campus, from which she was speaking.

• The planned construction of a $6.5 million indoor swimming pool complex to replace a soon-to-be closed Skyland facility used by five public schools. “It’s really going to be an athletic facility, not just a public pool,” Greene said. Construction has not started yet.

• The opening of an indoor firing range in Woodfin. The facility, with 12-lanes, each 50 yards long, is for area law enforcement officer training.

Also, Greene said the county “is going tor refinance about $50 million of debt, for a savings estimated at about $5 million.”

Regarding sales taxes, Greene noted that various state legislation that would change how counties are reimbursed — in a move favoring more rural counties over more urban counties — “has hurt Buncombe County.”

However, she credited State Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Hendersonville, for helping to make the best of a potentially horrific situation for Buncombe. At present, it looks like the county will lose $3 million annual in sales tax reimbursements, she said.

“He (Apodaca) helped back it up. It would have cost us about $17 million... For me, when I heard we might lose $17 million total versus the second bill (backed by Apodaca) where we’d lose $3 million — that got a lot more manageable.

“I do think you’ll see activity on the sales tax (from the General Assembly in Raleigh) right up to the end” of the legislative session. “We will be watching closely because that is our largest tax source.”

During the questionsession that County Manager and-answer followed, a man asked Wanda Greene how many people does the county employ.

Without a pause, Greene replied, “One thousand four hundred twenty employees for the county — and almost another 800 in the school system....”

Another man then asked, “How will growth in infrastructure keep up with costs?”

“I think all the agencies are keeping up,” Greene answered. “We will be revaluating properties. We’re seeing lots of increase in values in what’s going on. It’s a balance.”

CIBO member Mac Swicegood said, “We’re projected to have a great increase in retirees over the next few years” in the Buncombe area. “How do you plan for that?”

“I think one of the things we need to focus on is keeping them (retirees) in their homes.

And keeping the (housing) stock in good shape is important,” Greene said.

A man asked, “With all the growth we’re having, do you have a percentage increase” in mind?

“I don’t,” Greene said. “Gary (Roberts) and Keith (Miller) may have that in their report” to CIBO. “We’re seeing an increase in a positive direction, after falling during the recession.”

Another man asked about the health care cost per employee.

“Anywhere from $8,400 to $13,000 per employee per year,” Greene said. “We’re self-funded. We use Blue Cross as a third-party administrator. We manage that in a separate fund.”

Next, an update on the county Tax Department was presented, with Roberts noting, “On collections, it has been a very good year for us.

My thought, as director of tax, is if I get every dollar, I keep the rate down.”

He said Buncombe’s collection rate is 98.25 percent — and his goal is “in the 99s. That’s a high number... Collections are a lot better than they have been.

He also noted that Asheville “had a 1.45 percent jump” in its tax base.

Roberts added, “We do collections and assessments... Other things that we do is data that we store. We constantly want to improve that.”

Roberts then introduced Miller, real estate manager for the county, who, he said, would discuss ways the county is preparing for its upcoming property reappraisal. “Now the board hasn’t approved that,” Roberts noted. “We’re looking at 2017 for that.”

Miller said, “I do manage the assessment for all the parcels of Buncombe County. On the

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

land record side, I manage the ownership” and other aspects.

“We are considering a reappraisal in 2017...

We collect data constantly on commercial and residential sides....

“The No. 1 thing — when Gary (Roberts) and I meet — that we talk about is how we can better serve the community,” Miller said. “So that’s important to us. I’m always interested in your feedback. We’re always interested in improving that.”

Miller added, “Working with the tax office should never be a controversial situation. So please let us know how we’re doing and what we could do better.”

In the question-and-answer session afterward, a man asked, “Does the county plan on flying (over Buncombe’s properties) before the appraisal?”

“There is a plan for the county to have a flyover,” Miller said.

The man then asserted, “As someone who has flown a lot, the best time is now.

“Yes, the best time is fall and winter, before the leaves are on the trees,” Miller said.

On a third matter, an open data report was presented by Jonathan Feldman, Asheville’s chief information officer.

“Before we talk about ‘open data,’ let’s talk about what data is... So when you talk about data really, really truly, it’s just a table. It’s rows and columns. We call that structured data. So now you know what IT (information technology) people know.”

See FORESEEN, Page A18

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:

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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 One-year outside U.S. subscription (outside U.S.)..................................................................................$100 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.

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 - A3

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A4 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

LEAF weekend music fest aims to fill Bele Chere void

From Staff Reports

The local band 3 Cool Cats will launch the new summer concert series 4-6 p.m. May 17 at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville.

New concert series to debut

From Staff Reports

Sunday Music in the Park, a new outdoor concert series, will make its debut this summer with a slate of five free shows at Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville.

Sponsored by the Asheville Downtown Association, the series will have a distinct character from the popular Downtown After 5 outdoor concert series, which is held one Friday evening per month on North Lexington Avenue, with many booths sell-

ing alcoholic products.

Only one place will sell alcohol during the park concerts.

The series, which runs 4-6 p.m., will begin May 17 with the band 3 Cool Cats.

The remainder of the series includes the following dates and bands or entertainers: • May 31 — Hymns and Beer • June 14 — Bayou Diesel • June 28 — Busker performance, featuring Abby the Spoon Lady, Time Crunch and Josh Newton

With the goals of satisfying locals and achieving longevity — as well as replacing Bele Chere — a new weekend music festival will debut Aug. 1-2 in downtown Asheville.

LEAF Community Arts, organizer of Lake Eden Arts Festival twice a year in Black Mountain, will organize the event.

Features will include three stages, food trucks and more than 80 locally owned and artisan vendors and business partners.

The new festival, LEAF Downtown AVL, will take place in the area around Pack Square Park, from Biltmore Avenue to the Buncombe County Courthouse.

While the event will be much smaller than Bele Chere, the organizers said they hope it will draw foot traffic to surrounding businesses.

The festival organizers decided to keep the event relatively compact in its early days to set it up for long-term success.

LEAF Downtown will not be a one-timeonly festival, according to Leigh Maher, the chief financial officer of LEAF Community Arts and husband of founder Jennifer Pickering. Indeed, he said, the festival is designed to return every summer for years to come.

“When we looked at doing the full downtown scenario,” Maher said, “you end up with

a massive, sprawling thing, but how does that lead to success?” He noted that Bele Chere, although beloved in some circles, was a “monstrous beast,” logistically.

The main stage in front of the courthouse will feature big-name headlines, including funkmaster Bootsy Collins and local acts.

A full list of bands will be announced May 21, but among those already confirmed are Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, The Main Squeeze, Empire Strikes Brass, and the London Souls.

In front of the firehouse, the Community Arts Stage will focus on family-friendly entertainment, such as circus arts and youth performances.

Near the Vance Monument, the Café Stage will feature acoustic acts adjacent to a dining area with food trucks.

Unlike Bele Chere, which was sponsored by the City of Asheville, LEAF Downtown has a single private organizer, so no public money is involved.

LEAF Downtown, which is a nonprofit, is still talking with the city to establish the exact parameters of their working relationship, Maher said. The festival is seeking — and already has signed — some sponsors, he noted.

An estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people will attend daily, Maher said, noting that his projection is conservative. In contrast, the Downtown After 5 event reportedly averages about 7,500 people to its one stage.

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A6 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

NC Progress holds rally, BCGOP counter-rally fizzles

From Staff Reports A rally by the liberal group Progress NC on April 7 in downtown Asheville prompted the Buncombe County Republican Party to call for a simultaneous counter-protest.

However, no BCGOP counter-protesters showed up at Progress NC’s gathering in Pack Square Park, prompting criticism from the liberal group.

In an email dated April 6, the BCGOP stated, “Dear Fellow Conservative: There comes a time when we all must do our part to unite together against the liberal-bias...

That time is NOW,” referring to the call for a protest against Progress NC’s meeting.

The communique also states, “We have worked too hard to allow liberal groups like Progress NC to try to manipulate North Carolinans into another 140 years of darkness caused by the Progressives. Will YOU answer the call to action?”

Contacted after the BCGOP’s no-show at the Progress NC gathering, BCGOP Chairman Nathan West told the Daily Planet that the counter-protest did not take place — and said he would have no further comment.

Meanwhile, the roughly 20-minute Progress NC press conference attracted about 18 protesters and about 10 observers.

Drawing criticism from at least one speaker at the rally was the lone admitted Republican present at the rally — Ricky Diaz, senior communications advisor for the North Carolina Republican Party, who was taping the event and intently listening and observing.

Afterward, Diaz told the Daily Planet, “I’m here representing the North Carolina

State Rep. Terry Van Duynn speaks at a Progress NC rally in Asheville.

Republican party because this group is traveling around the state and refuses to say who their donors are — and North Carolinians deserve to know.”

He added, “These are the same talking points they used against (U.S. Sen.) Thom Tillis — and failed.”

Responding to Progress NC’s claims that the Republican-dominated state legislature is hurting senior citizens, the working class and minorities, Diaz pointed to what he termed the improving state jobless rate and the indicators of a significant economic uptick.

Diaz said that NC Progress’ goal is to “eviscerate Gov. Pat McCrory by making these attacks” that, he contended, are unfounded.

Meanwhile, several people addressed the turnout for the Progress NC press conference, with state Rep. Terry Van Duyn, D-Asheville, serving as the featured speaker. Other speakers were Ted Figura and Art Smoker.

Van Duyn said that instead of Gov.

Patrick McCrory’s so-called “Carolina Comeback,” too many North Carolina families awaken each morning with less” of everything. (McCrory is a Republican.)

“The gap between poor and wealthy” continues to grow, she lamented. Van Duyn listed changes she tied to the Republican-dominated General Assembly, including elimination of the income tax credit and the child care credit, among many Progress NC’s Logan examples that “help workingSmith mocked the class families.” failed counter-protest.

Van Duyn asserted that “North Carolina is doubling protest). I down on a failed strategy.” Specifically, she wouldn’t The NCGOP’s Ricky said the Republican-controlled legislature want to come Diaz observes and is giving the wealthy — who support the out and protape-records Progress GOP — tax breaks, under the theory that test against NC’s April 7 rally. the wealth will trickle down to the poor. a group of “North Carolina deserves better and small-business-owners and senior citizens, that’s why I thank you all for being here either.” and letting your voices be heard.”

Regarding Diaz’s accusations that NC The last speaker, Logan Smith, commuProgress is failing to reveals its sponsors, nications director of Progress NC Action, Smith told the Daily Planet that “we follow triggered laughter from many of those pres- the law to the fullest extent.... We filed an ent when he asserted that “our pal Ricky ethics complaint” against McCrory.

(Diaz) tried to organize a counter-protest...

Smith also said that, “if they (the RepubDoesn’t look like that went well.” licans) were more confident, they wouldn’t Smith accused Diaz and state Republican be attacking the messenger (NC Progress).” leaders of failing to address problems and, As for allegations by Diaz and others that “instead, they’re going to attack the messenNC Progress has controversial donors that ger — and keep squeezing the middle class. it is trying to shield, Smith said, “It shows “They sent an email to protest our they (the group’s Republican critics) don’t protest. I’d call this a rally (instead of a have a leg to stand on.”

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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 - A7

Economy

Continued from Page A1 Opening the program, Joe Sullock, a retired UNCA economics professor and a founder of the Economic Crystal Bar Seminar, told the crowd that one of his questions is: “When is the Fed going to raise rates?”

Later, Sullock said the Fed “would raise rates when inflation becomes unacceptable.”

He added that it would be the Fed’s version of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (The reference was borrowed from a since-repealed policy that banned discriminating against or harrassing closeted gays, lesbians and bisexuals, while barring those who were openly members of those lifestyles.)

After Sullock’s initial remarks and introductions of the two speakers, Berson and Smith each spoke for about 15 to 20 minutes. The program then wound up with a question-and-answer period spanning more than 30 minutes.

Berson began by noting, “The most important thing to know is the Fed doesn’t know any more than any other economist.

They don’t — and they can’t. So when they talk in confusing terms, it’s confusing.”

(Berson has been a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, an assistant professor of economics at Claremont McKenna College and Claremont Graduate School in California, and a staff economist for the U.S. Countil of Economic Advisors.)

For the Fed to tighten sooner, rather than later, Berson said there would need to be strong economic actvity and higher inflation.”

For the Fed “to tighten later than sooner,” he said there would need to be “weaker economic activity and lower inflaction.”

Berson added, “We think the Fed will tighten in September, but it could be in June. It could be after September.”

Specifically, he said signs that would prompt the Fed to tighten sooner would include stronger economic data, such as jobs, unemployment rates and capacity utilization.

He spoke of signs of “a pickup in core inflation,” noting, “if people see overall inflation is lower, they may tend to expect that all parts of inflation are lower.”

As for unemployment insurance claims, he said “this comes out every week,” but “we tend to look at the four-week average.”

As of mid April, Berson said, “We haven’t been that low for a long time. The labor market is strong because unemployment is so low. Unemployment claims are extraordinarily low. It’s a sign of a tight labor market.

“The labor market is hot. But overall usage in the economy is pretty low... Capacity utilitzation — it’s come up a lot. That’s a huge expansion. But we’re not quite at levels that push capacity...

“The spending we lost in the first quarter of last year during the Polar Vortex in 2014” was first declared a loss, but it (economic activity) was simply delayed,” based on improvements in succeeding quarters.

For 2014, Berson said, “Growth for the year as a whole was about 3 percent... Once again, this fairly soon will indicate inflation pressures... Wage expansion, per se, is not inflationary. Perhaps it will push prices up... ” Ultimately, he said, “the Fed would take this as an example that they need to tighten sooner, or later.”

Continuing, Berson asserted, “Real GDP (gross domestic product) growth has been very moderate — the most moderate in our history. This will push growth rates to 3 percent, and possibly above... This is keeping the Fed on the sideline.”

He noted that unemployment is down a lot. “Too much? Not enough? Where is full employment? We won’t know for a year or two — until we’ve seen what’s happened with wages.”

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For the Fed to tighten later, he said, low inflation would be a factor. At the moment, Berson noted, “Inflation is pretty stable at 1.4 to 1.7 percent— it’s just up a tad. We think it will continue to rise really slowly, heading toward 2 percent. Right now that’s very uncertain.”

He also said the collapse of oil prices could slow down the Fed’s tightening. As for the price of oil, Berson said, “It’s gone up a little since we did this chart.

“We think it’s more likely the (economic) pickup around the world will push up oil demand worldwide. We expect to see oil prices at $60 per barrel by the end of the year — $10 more than today.

“We do know that a stronger dollar hurts inflation because it makes the price of things less expensive. It also means strong capital flows into whatever country.”

Berson also said, “The Fed doesn’t control many interest rates.” He then asked, “Why haven’t those gone up?”

Answering his own question, Berson said, “The most likely reason ... is we’ve had these huge capital flows coming in from abroad and buying up U.S. Treasuries.”

He added that it is very rare to have negative interest rates, but that that is happening in some countries now — and that has resulted in a flow of foreign capital into U.S. Treasuries, where there is a guaranteed positive growth rate.

In general, Berson said, “Recent economic data” that he has seen” is “much worse than market expectations...”

As for the question of “When will Fed tighten?” Berson said, I think Fed will have to wait and see... Our best guess is it will be September... The market does expect the Fed to tighten” sometime “later this year.

“But everybody thinks, by the end of the year, the Fed will have begun tightening at least one time...

The second speaker, Smith, noted that, about a year ago, the tepid U.S. economy finally gathered steam to record an increase of 2.4 percent (in economic growth) yearover-year.

In contrast, Asheville’s metro nearly doubled at 4.4 percent — fueled by a jump in nonfarm jobs — during the same period, Smith said, citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (The Asheville metro includes four counties — Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison.) “ The number of job openings is greater — by five times — than the number of unemployed people,” Smith said. “We could get every jobless person a job (in the Asheville metro) — and still have to import people” to fill jobs.

Continuing, Smith said, “So inflation is essentially nonexistent in the United States.

So the overwhelming number of forecasters are thinking it will increase in November, possibly December. They (The Fed) will tell us. They don’t want markets to be surprised.”

See ECONOMY, Page 12

To register, visit www.CarolinaReadiness.com

May 29-31

Haywood County Fairgrounds 758 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, N.C.

Come and join us for a weekend of learning!

RVs & Tents - Free camping. No electricity or showers available.

Classes (and more) being offered are:

Beekeeping Canning Meat* Canning Fruits/Vegetables* Cheesemaking* Dehydrating Weed Walk Dutch Oven Cooking* Food Storage Sun Oven Cooking Candle Making* Suturing* Bread Making* Night Patrol Understanding Your Weapons Capabilities Herbal Salves, Tinctures, Teas

Essential Oils Perimeter Security ATLATL Fire Starting* Archery Blacksmith/Knife-Making* Solar Greenhouse Prepper Pharmacy Knot-Tying Secret Garden of Survival Map & Compass Navigation* Tactical Radio Communications Silver and Gold 101 Basics Sewing/Quilting* Self-Defense Survivor Jane Basic Survival

Some classes will be limited — sign up for classes early.

Classes subject to change. *Minimal materials charge Bring pad & pens, and folding chairs.

Friday Night Speaker (Starting at 7 p.m.)

Mr. Madmick -

“Group Dynamics”

Saturday Night Speaker (Starting at 7 p.m.)

Surprise Guest Survivalist

Carolina Readiness Supply Inc. Will you be ready when the lights go out?

72 Montgomery St. Waynesville, N.C. 28786

(828) 456-5310

www.carolinareadiness.com

A8 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Republicans

Continued from Page A1

West, who recently was elected to the BCGOP’s top post, opened the dinner with an enthused greeting to the crowd, which, in turn, responded with loud applause.

“As y’all know, this is one of our major fundraisers of the year,” West said. “It takes an absolute army to put it together.”

West then praised Henry Mitchell “as an excellent former chairman of the BCGOP.” With a grin, West later semi-joked that he sees Mitchell as “the lifetime chair of the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner,” an assertion that a smiling Mitchell pantomimed was not among his “forever” plans.

More seriously, West said, “We have been working on this dinner for six months” and he recognized many of those who pitched in to help organize it. With a grin, he asked the attendees to see Miss WNC 2015 Madison Tweed “for the gun raffle.”

West also introduced the other newly elected officers of the BCGOP. He then turned the program over to the evening’s master of ceremonies, Hal Weatherman, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. Weatherman, in turn, said Forest “sent his regrets for not being” able to attend the BCGOP’s dinner.

Upon his introduction, Hicks, the sole speaker before dinner, received a standing ovation.

“One of the things I’ve seen” in recently years is a “decline is our value system,” Hicks told the crowd in brief remarks. “We have a responsiblity to our country to restore the values that are slipping away from us.”

Before dinner was served, Weatherman noted the power of every vote, as his boss, Forest, “ran an improbably race for lieutenant governor. We won by 6,800 votes, or 0.125 percent.”

He then asserted, “It is a good day to be a Republican in North Carolina,” noting that Republicans control both houses of the General Assembly, the governor’s seat and the state Supreme Court. “We even control the state School Board for the first time in the state’s history.

“When Republicans took control in Raleigh, we had the fifth highest unemployment in the nation. Today, two years later (and under GOP control), we have the fifth fastest-growing economy....

“We went in two short years... we went from 44th worst in tax (burden) ... to 16th best.”

Forbes magazine and others have named North Carolina “one of best states in which to locate a business,” Weatherman said.

After dinner, the first speaker was Hager, who noted, “We have a 75-45 majority in House. You guys are on the front lines...

We’ve got unemployment down. We now have the fastest rate of people (in the nation) going back to work... We just picked the low-hanging fruit off the bottom.”

He said that much more needs to be done to get the state where it needs to be, so “get rested and get your vacation done early ... because we’re starting this stuff again.”

Next, Meadows said, “I’ll be brief” because he realizes he is an appetizer “for what is to come from (U.S. Rep.) Patrick McHenry and (U.S.) Sen. Richard Burr. “ Meadows playfully added, “You are at ‘Ground Zero’ because we know Buncombe County is not a friendly environment.”

Later, he noted that “we’ve got a new senator from North Carolina — Thom Tillis — and we’re sending home (Nev. Sen.) Harry Reid!”

Both pronouncements drew loud applause.

(Reid has served as Senate minority leader for the Democrats.)

Meadows then put on darkglasses to mock Reid, who had worn them to cover injuries after an accident, reportedly on an exercise machine.

“My good friend (U.S. Rep.) Trey Gowdy (RS.C.) said to say ‘hello’ to you.” Gowdy, a conservative firebrand, was last year’s keynote speaker at the BCGOP Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. “What we really need to do is continue to fight because Hillary (Clinton, the presumed Demoratic presidential candidate) is still out there fighting.”

Meadows then made several playful pokes at Clinton. “What we have is someone running who is trying to tell the same tired reasons

for things that don’t work to succeed Barrack Obama. Her foundation is still going to solicit those same dollars from Saudi Arabia” and other places. “I have a problem with that, don’t you?”

The crowd roared its affirmation.

“We need to start returning the truth to Washington, D.C., Meadows said. “So I’m going to ask you one more time to show up and make those hundreds of thousands of phone calls and tweets. When you think you haven’t done enough, I’m going to ask you to do more.”

Next, McHenry, the new chief deputy whip of the House, began by praising Mitchell, who recently decided not to seek re-election to the BCGOP’s top job. “Henry, you did a fantastic job as a great chairman. Thank you for your service.”

The crowd applauded enthusiastically.

McHenry also thanked former congressman Nathan Ramsey (of Fairview) for his efforts “to bring good conservative values” to Buncombe.

The crowd cheered when he added, “With Mark (Meadows) and I representing Buncombe County, it has not just one member of Congress, but two....

“What does it mean to have Republican leadership in Washington when (President) Barack Obama is making unconstitutional executive orders?” McHenry asked.

“In less than two years, these (executive orders)

will be wiped away with a Republican president....

This president has tried to increase government in every way possible — and we in the Congress have fought it every bit of the way. He also has led from behind,” with America’s allies — a course that McHenry said has failed and resulted in a loss of respect for the U.S. Next, Drew West, the 16-year-old chairman of the Buncombe County Teenage Republicans, introduced Burr, the keynote — and final — speaker. (West, a candidate for the chairmanship of state Teenage Republicans, made 44,000 calls in the last election on behalf of the GOP.) After urging everyone to think what they could do each day to preserve American values, West noted, “The gentleman I’m introducing to you tonight embodies that preservation” of traditional American values.

West referred to Burr as “the common-sense senator,” “the senator who doesn’t wear any socks and drives a Volkswagen van,” and someone who is, in some way, reminiscent of cartoon character Fred Flintstone in his determined and iconic nature.

Burr received a standing ovation and referred to young West as “the man.” And he marveled that West had made 44,000 phone calls to help the GOP in the last election.

Burr noted the attitude of those of his father’s generation who fought in World War II, so that succeeding generations would not have to deal with certain problems that would not go away otherwise.

“They (those in the military service) do it because they understand it’s about the future,” he said.

Burr added, “The next election cycle is not only the most important in your life, but of your children’s and grandchildren’s lives.”

Further, he asserted, “You know what...

North Carolina is a red state. It’s not purple. ...

How in the world is that perceived as purple in anybody’s world,” given the Republican domination in almost all phases of North Carolina government.

“But,” he noted, “we’ve got an opportuity this time to end that debate (red vs. purple). This is not just about a Republican win... but it’s about putting a flag in that mason jar.” (The reference was to Drew West’s assertion earlier that he had placed a miniature U.S. flag in a jar as a reminder — and awakens each morning and the flag in the jar reminds him to reflect on American values.)

Burr asserted, ““We need a new president in 2016 who displays our vision ... who believes that America’s better days are ahead...

“I’m here to plead with you, too. Don’t wait till 2016. Start tonight to work on that election cycle...

But don’t find a reason to stay home. Don’t find a reason to be disengaged. Find a human face behind the next election cycle. If it’s not your children or grandchildren, find someone else’s.

“You see we’re stewards of the future. We’re the flag in the mason jar. It’s really incumbnt upon us to set the stage for the future Thanks you for being here tonight! Thanks for what you do! God bless!” Burr concluded to a standing ovation.

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 - A9

May 4, 2015

WE’RE MOVING THE REPAIR SHOP AT

NORTH ASHEVILLE EXXON IS MOVING TO

JASON’S AUTO CARE CENTER AT 37 REEMS CREEK RD. WEAVERVILLE, N.C. 28787

828-253-9684 and 828-645-9100

We have enjoyed being part of the North Asheville Community for so many years and have developed close ties with many of you. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to provide quality care for your automotive repair needs. We are looking forward to continuing to serve you at our new location!

We know the convenience of walking home, to work, to Geraldine’s, or around the lake has played a part in your choosing our repair shop. To off-set any inconvenience for our customers who move with us, we are prepared to provide transportation while your vehicles are being repaired. Please stop by and see us at Jason’s Auto Care Center and pick up your Free Transportation Card (available 5/4/15), and book your next appointment.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Continue to follow US-25 N Continue to follow US-19 BUS N Destination will be on the right

2.2 mi.

2.8mi.

0.3 mi.

A10 — May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Quality Tree Service

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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — A11 Advertisement

Muscadines Healthiest Grape Ever Tested!

The discovery that Muscadine grapes are naturally high in healthful antioxidants has lead to an expansion of the Muscadine industry in North Carolina.

Antioxidants help protect the body from the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals, which can contribute to degenerative diseases.

Source: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University Muscadines (vitis rotundifolia) are native to the south eastern United States and thrive on the heat and humidity common to the region. Muscadines are known for producing extremely high levels of Resveratrol, an antioxidant that blocks the negative effects of unstable molecules that occur naturally in the human body called free radicals.

Free radicals are known to cause cell damage and have been linked to heart disease, stroke, signs of aging, and certain types of cancers and macular degeneration of the eye. For this reason, Muscadine grapes are currently being sought after as a renewable source for Resveratrol and have been deemed nature’s healthiest grape.

In order to understand the magnitude of the discovery of potent and powerful antioxidants in the Muscadine Grape, one must understand a little about free radicals.

The body’s natural metabolism produces oxygen free radicals which are unbalanced oxygen atoms (atoms with a missing or un-repaired electron.)

These free radicals are predators in the body that try to replace the missing electrons by raiding and extracting electrons from other molecules. This extraction of electrons damages all DNA and tissue contacted until stopped by antioxidants and certain enzymes produced by the body. Antioxidants readily give up electrons without becoming harmful to the body. As we age, our body’s production of antioxidants enzymes decreases and we see symptoms of the battle against free radicals in wrinkles, age spots, and stooped posture.

Chronological age and physiological age are two different things. The human body is genetically designed to live to 120 years (physiological age).

However, the average chronological age for women is 76, and 74 for men.

There are several groups of people through the world who have members that live to be over 100 years old, an extremely higher rate than the rest of the population. Scientists believe that the primary reason these groups have so many more centenarians are due to dietary differences.

The U.S. National Institute of Health has determined that one of the primary causes of deteriorating health as we age is the relentless attack from freeradicals. It has been estimated that each cell in our body is attacked by freeradicals 10,000 times a day. Your body makes special enzymes to seek out and neutralize free-radicals. Unfortunately, the older you get the fewer of these en-

enzymes your body produces. Another way to battle free-radicals is to eat plants high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are used by the body to neutralize freeradicals and thus reduce the amount of damage our body suffers as we age.

North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association Copyright © 2007; All Rights Reserved

Over the next few months we will discuss the health benefits of Muscadines and Muscadine wine and how the consumption of antioxidants can help prevent heart disease, strokes, signs of aging, certain types of cancers, macular degeneration of the eye. We will also discuss how antioxidants protect mental function, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation associated with arthritis and promote overall good health.

Larry Cagle, Jr. WoodMill Winery, Inc.

WNC FARMERS MARKET Building A

570 Brevard Rd., Asheville, N.C. 28806

— The Winery with Heart! — Visit us at 1350 WoodMill Winery Lane, Vale, NC for Wine Tastings and Tours.

A12 —May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Economy

Continued from Page A7 Changing gears in his address, Smith then said, “I watched last year’s presentation” of this seminar. “It turned out that everything David and I said — everything we said — turned out to be accurate.” The crowd applauded.

Smith then asserted, “Most of what we see (economically) around the world is generally a mess. David was just talking about negative interest rates. The worst is in Germany — yields are negative for nine years (into the future) I don’t know how people who bought it can even be called ‘investors.’

“In Denmark, it’s gotten so bad you don’t put money in the bank... You put the money in a safe deposit box. You give it to the bank — and it’s shrinking. And they need something like our TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) to recapitalize the banks.

“Germany yields 8 basis points. That’s just an example of the horrible shape

Europe is in. They need something like our FDIC (Federal Deposting Insurance Corporation) that can close down banks that are in trouble.”

On other issues, Smith asserted, “All of the research shows the income equality is a function of how much education a person has had,” noting that “68.4 percent of U.S. high school graduates last year enrolled in colleges — the highest amount in the world ever.” The crowd applauded.

“I found that statistic very encouraging,” Smith said. “Education (level) is highly correlated with income... It appears that that message is getting through. It also tells we have enormous capacity for handling that... The Baby Boom changed everything.

We have the capacity to handle things in higher education....

“Our mutual friend John Sylvia, of Wells Fargo in Charlotte,” recently pointed out that, in 13 or the last 25 years, the first quarter was the weakest quarter of the year.

“This year (yet another weak first quarter) will make that figure go to 14 of 26.

It will be very weak. Nobody’s expecting

it to be negative Last year was a negative 2.1 percent... There’s only been one other expansion — in the history of quarterly data — when we had two negative quarters and we didn’t have a recession... We’ve had many one negative quarters....”

On a bright note, Smith asserted, “I will reiterate a piece of news people don’t think about that was true a year ago and is true today — as lousy as the world looks, the U.S. continues to grow.”

Regarding fears that China’s economy is going to tank, he said, “Every other country in the world would kill for one 7 percent quarter,” as is China’s recent attainment.

Recently in the world, Smith noted, “Twothirds of growth has come from Chine — and one-third from the United States....

“If you want to worry a little bit, I’m pretty sure we’re closer to the next recession than we are to the last recession. Two months from today, we will hit the first day of the seventh year of this economic expansion... We’re way beyond an average expansion. The longest — March 1991 to March 2001 — was 10 years or 120 months.”

Further, Smith said, “I don’t think there’s another recession until 2021. Why? Because, as David told you, this is the slowest expansion since the beginning of the 20th century... The consensus of the report was we finally get 3 percent growth this year,” he said, noting that the forecast has been adjusted, so “now we get 2.7 percent.”

Smith added, “You can always tell when a recession is coming — when the Fed has tightened enough by slowing the growth of the money supply.... Seventeen times since 1901, short-term interest rates have risen above long-term interest rates... Once in a while, it’s cheaper to borrow ‘long.’

“Whenever you see that, its called an inverted yield curve. Seventeen times since 1901 — and 17 times we had a recession.

So when you see an inverted yield curve, we will be in a recession within at least a year.”

For now, “The (U.S. economic) outlook is good,” Smith concluded. “It could be better. Employment is growing. Wealth is at record levels. And things are even better in Asheville than almost anywhere else. I don’t know what else you could ask for.”

dinner will be offered from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m., but a reservation must be made by the prior Monday by calling 693-4890. Admission to the program is free and available on a drop-in basis.

ed in the monthly Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse Concert Series. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students.

will hold its annual meeting to elect officers, consider a bylaw change and approve the budget.

Faith Notes Sunday, May 3

DISCUSSION, 9:15 a.m., Felix Building, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville. The weekly adult forum will feature a discussion, “It’s a Metaphor! More Conversation About God, Life and the Pursuit of Happiness,” led by the Rev. Larry Anderson. All are welcome.

HOMECOMING, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, 283 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. The church will hold a homecoming during which former members, families and friends are invited to attend. Lunch will be served at noon.

Tuesday, May 5

JUDAISM COURSE, 6-7:30 p.m., Chabad House, 660 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. A course, “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Traditon,” will be taught on Tuesdays, May 5 through June 9. The course is intended to shed light on the mysteries surrounding Biblical interpretation. Just as science follows the scientific method, Jewish tradition has its own system to ensure that its authenticity remains intact.

Admission to the entire course is $85, including textbook. To register, visit www.chabadashevilleorg.

Wednesday, May 6

CHRISTIANITY’S FAMILY TREE PROGRAM, 5:45-7 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville. On Wednesdays through May 20, a “Christianity’s Family Tree” program will be held. The discussion-based study will focus on Orthdoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism and Methodism, led via DVD by author Adam Hamilton. An optional

Friday, May 8

FILM SCREENING, 7-9:30 p.m., Sandburg Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. A film — to be announced — will be screened for the monthly UUCA Social Justice Movie Night.

An open discussion will follow the screening.

Admission is free.

Sunday, May 10

DISCUSSION, 9:15 a.m., Felix Building, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville. The weekly adult forum will feature a discussion of “A New Model of the Universe,” led by Don Emon, who has a Ph.D. in nuclear science and engineering and some associated masters degrees. All are welcome.

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave., Asheville. The annual Mother’s Day Luncheon will be served cafeteria-style, with a variety of Greek dishes. Prices range from $1 to $16. Also offered will be Greek folk dancing and tours of the sanctuary. Carry-out will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To pre-order, call the church office at 253-3754 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or the Hellenic Center at 254-7424 on the day of the luncheon.

Sunday, May 17

CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville.

A special 10th anniversary show will be present-

Friday, May 22

BIBLE PROGRAM, 7-10 p.m., Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, 1 Porters Cove Road, Asheville. A program, “Culture Shock: Whatever Happened to Right and Wrong,” will be presented by Chip Ingram. He will address where the Bible stands on today’s issues.

Sunday, May 31

Annual Meeting, 1-6 p.m., sanctuary, Sandburg Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The UUCA

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.

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

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 - A13

Happy Mother’s Day

For Your Angels

Pendants starting at $650

B I LT M O R E PA R K T O W N S Q U A R E | 8 2 8 . 6 76 .16 2 5 | M A R T H A L E R J E W E L E R S . C O M

TSC_Marthaler_AshevilleCitizenTimes_May2015_v2.indd 1

For Your Angels

Pendants starting at $650

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4/20/2015 12:23:52 PM

A14 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

The Daily Planet’s Opinion

Put park on vacant city parcel

A

sheville City Council should be commended for having the wisdom to announce that it does not want a hotel to be built on its empty 0.8-acre parcel — valued at $2.6 million — at 68-76 Haywood St., across from the U.S. Cellular Center downtown.

Proposed uses for the city-owned land have included a convention center, a hotel, a plaza, a park and a performing arts center.

Through 10 years of city ownership, the parcel, variously called “the world’s most expensive (non) parking lot” and the “pit of despair,” remains vacant.Most of the seven council members want to see a tax-producing structure there, along with a plaza or a similar public space.

What’s more, Mayor Esther Manheimer recently said, “I think it’s more of what we don’t want to

see. I don’t think there is any interest any longer in a hotel.”

Meanwhile, an environmental group and one council member continue to advocate for a park, claiming they have the support of many voters.

We think the park idea has much merit, especially since the historic Basilica of St. Lawrence, one of downtown’s crown jewels located just across the street from the city’s parcel, includes a signature brick dome that experts fear could suffer damage from any heavy-duty construction projects nearby. (The church was built by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino in 1905.)

The city lacks parks in that area — and a park would be an organic and aesthetic addition, complimenting the neighboring structures and benefitting the community as a whole.

Where have all the heroes gone?

CHAPEL HILL — “Were you a part of the Army that made the Indians leave their homes?”

David, my five-year-old grandson, had been learning about American Indians in his preschool.

He knew that I had been in the Army many years ago. So, of course, he wondered if my “many years ago” coincided with this and other incidents of ill treatment of Native Americans.

When I was David’s age, the stories I learned about Native Americans emphasized the dangers on the frontier from the brutal attacks, scalping, kidnapping, and torture faced by the brave settlers.

The magnitude of this shift in perspective showed itself again as I prepared for a trip to Florida by reading “Finding Florida: A True History of the Sunshine State,” by T.D. Allman.

Allman seems to set out to puncture holes in all the treasured founding myths and heroes dear to Floridians. His documentation of the brutality and ineptitude of the Spanish explorers in their attempted colonization of the “paradise” gave me no problem.

I did not mind learning that Ponce de Leon’s discovery of Florida, founding of St. Augustine, and search for the Fountain of Youth were creations of the imagination of Washington Irving, the same storyteller who gave us Ichabod Crane and Rip van Winkle.

Nor was I greatly disturbed when he showed that some of the characters whom Florida honors were selfish, conniving knaves who cheated the Spanish, tricked the Seminoles, and tried to enrich themselves on the backs of exploited peoples.

But I bristled when Allman took out after some native North Carolinians such as Duncan Lamont Clinch, from the EdgecombeNash area. Clinch served under Andrew Jackson in the U.S. Army, protecting the borders of Georgia and Alabama from incursions of Indians and runaway slaves who operated from inside Spanish Florida.

According to Allman, Clinch was responsible for an operation at Negro Fort, now known as Fort Gadsden Historic Recreation Center. Clinch, under orders from Jackson,

D.G. Martin led the operation in which, according to Allman, “on July 27, 1816, U.S. forces perpetuated one of the worst massacres in American history. Hundreds of civilians were killed in the initial artillery attack. The survivors, including mothers with their children, were then murdered, their leaders tortured to death.”

Coming home to North Carolina, I found myself again surrounded by debates about the racism of formerly admired heroes such as the great education governor, Charles Brantley Aycock. His portrait hung in the office of Gov. Terry Sanford, but he had won office on a platform of disenfranchisement of blacks.

There was also former N.C. secretary of state and UNC trustee, William Saunders, who was a leader in the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War. Plus there were the brave Confederate soldiers, represented by statues at courthouses all over the state and by “Silent Sam” on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, all of whom fought, not only for their homeland, but also to preserve slavery.

I wondered whether our pride in our state and country depends upon the sanctity of those previously accepted as heroes, or whether we are better served by critical examination of their faults and those of our society.

I hope my grandson David and his generation will find a way to confront and learn from the many tragic mistakes in our history.

More than that though, I pray fervently they will not overlook our forebears’ achievements and their imperfect but profound progress towards a land of growing opportunity and fairness, one that merits admiration and pride.

• 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

Events involving Morgan monument called troubling

Everybody must live somewhere. But on 4/25, Asheville Citizen-Times readers Jacobs and Kyle emphatically pointed out it shouldn’t be North Carolina, and especially Asheville.

When I shared many Asheville happenings with a trusted friend, he replied, “Rick, this is your mission field.” Even Billy Graham lives nearby.

After church today, I inspected the recently placed monument for Col. Morgan outside City Hall to confirm what I have been reading in AC-T. Asheville taxpaying citizens need to know we are funding bureaucrats (and possibly others) who have no better use of their time than to deface and obscure Col. Morgan’s favorite Bible verse in small letters near the bottom of the monument. According to AC-T, to “Restore it to its original design.”

Last year I was honored to recommend to Carl Mumpower (helped spearhead the project) the highly regarded monument maker who prepared the tasteful tribute,

including the inscriptions.

Living 100 miles west of Asheville, he will likely concur with Jacobs and Kyle and be glad he is far removed from Asheville.

I do believe Asheville has scores of decent, honorable, responsible, and intelligent citizens. But this group does not include some of our city leaders.

Rick BagleY, CLU Arden

Ability to laugh at oneself termed vital for all citizens

Can we all learn to laugh at ourselves a little more?

Some of us take ourselves a little too seriously. You can walk around this city and see people who are all tight-lipped and stern-faced — the business suits and briefcases hurry from one meeting to another.

Downtown Asheville is such a dichotomy.

Take a walk from the bottom of Broadway, where HomeTrust Bank and Olive or Twist are based, and stroll up to where all the city and county happens at Pack Square Park.

See LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Page A18

The Candid Conservative

Feminist femme fatales....

“Women hold up half the sky.”

— Mao Zedong

W

The Problem

e live in a time when the very real potential of “normal” is being shanghaied by snake-oil salesmen.

Mass marketing the Constitution, tradition, the Bible, and conservatism as dated and irrelevant, these fake social Robin Hoods are more truly social misfits. The treacherous mission – downgrading the culture to their own comfort zone.

Imitating mafia kingpins eliminating the competition, these champions of moral relativism have rapidly fouled America’s political, judicial, academic, religious, and economic systems. And trail tracks back for decades – arguably it begins with women.

The Feminist Mistake

The feminine movement found its wings in the 1960s. Initially sold as a legitimate effort to level the playing field for women, that agenda was quickly corrupted into a broader blueprint for destroying the field for everyone.

The pill, abortion, recreational drugs, and free-love were heralded as milestones of societal advancement. History reveals irresponsibility, Whistle Blower abdication of parental accountability, feel-good dedications and sexual immorality more certainly heralds decline.

It’s all been peddled in the name of making women the equal of men. Instead, women are fast becoming like men.

Though feminists celebrate, there’s no victory in being liberated to be stupid.

What’s Happening?

Looking for a fast-track to undermining a powerful culture? Go after unity, morality, and families. How? Pull the lynchpin.

The feminine gender is the force bringing us together, checking values and cultivating future generations.

Unity does not require uniformity. Na-

Carl Mumpower ture’s clear directive is that men and women be united as a ladder to the top of the food chain. To the extent that women pick men, not the reverse, they’re the real point of action in heterosexual relationships. Demotivate women and we lose our glue.

Morality matters. When women lower or discard their standards, everything falls. A society without a workable sense of right and wrong drifts with the current and lands on the rocks. Watch a “Bonanza” episode and any of today’s primetime shows for insight on America’s rocky reality.

Research can be manipulated and usually is. But in the case of family the echo is too persistent to distort. Children raised with a Mom and Dad do better – far better – than all the other options. Deconstructing the family by sidetracking mom, enabling men, and encouraging single parent folly are just a few misguided practices making whole families a left-over TV memory.

What’s So Special About Women?

A short-course on gender reveals common ground blended with distinct differences. Men like to be the hero and fix things. We enjoy problem-solving, adventure and challenge. Women like those things too, but they add a passion central to mankind’s future – civilizing the world.

Women create bridges, moderate their environment and keep men in check. Without the force of their warmth, strength and insight, social sanity dies.

Women are our canaries in the coal mine.

Before technology put Tweety Bird out of business, canaries were widely employed in the mining industry. Their music voiced certainty no poisonous gasses had been tapped. If the music stopped, it warned of uncorked danger. That’s what women do, but they do it everywhere and all the time. Like Tweety, many suffer in the process.

See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page A17

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — A15

Commentary

Shame on NRA for gun law hijinks!

“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

— Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution • orty years ago, my family rented a farmhouse in Switzerland. One Sunday we were awakened by the pop-pop of gunfire. On the street we saw men arriving at the house next door. All of them had guns. One man arrived on a bicycle with a BAR strapped over his back.

We went over to see. Men of the village formed a line at the open wall of the house, firing at targets raised from bunkers in the pasture above. (Our landlord, we learned, was a medic, so he carried a pistol.)

What we saw that day was a regular muster of the local militia.

It’s absolutely clear that James Madison had this kind of militia in mind when he wrote the Second Amendment. In his time, everybody kept and bore arms. Guns were important for self-defense on their farms, and they hunted.

Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers: “The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation... (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

The key word here is “preserve.” Madi-

F

Lee Ballard son says our government shall not disarm its people. Madison’s amendment was NOT intended as a blank check for state legislatures to encourage citizens to carry concealed pistols or look for innovative weapons with greater firepower. It says plainly: Our people have weapons. Let it always be so.

For the last 20 years, the National Rifle Association and Republican candidates have been busy among us sowing discord and distrust of our government – and they’ve done it in the name of Madison’s Second Amendment.

Listen to NRA chief Wayne LaPierre at their convention last month: “The next 650 days are the most dangerous days in history for the Second Amendment and for our personal freedom. That’s how long President Obama has left. Between now and the day he leaves office, he has 650 days to do whatever he wants to whomever he wants.”

And Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz: “If Hillary Clinton is going to… come after our guns, then what I say is, come and take it.”

The Founding Fathers had only seen “other

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nations” and their tyranny. They didn’t know what lay ahead for America.

Now, 225 years later, WE DO KNOW! We know our democracy works. We know that bad officeholders can be voted out. We know from long experience. We KNOW it.

And LaPierre knows it, too. His antigovernment tirades are a power strategy and nothing more. If gun-owners can be made to believe in government confiscation, they sign up and pay their dues – and they vote Republican.

To win over gun-owners, their message must be: Gun control laws mean confiscation, which leads to disarmament. That fear is necessary to stir up gun owners. (The Washington Post reported in detail on the NRA in 2013: Google “post marksmanship group”) Without this constant bombardment of fear from the NRA and other interest groups, there’s NO WAY most gun-owners would choose the society that the NRA is pushing,

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.

with no background checks or registrations, no limits on concealed carry, “stand your ground” as a legal defense. They don’t want Tombstone with AR-15s.

And the NRA packages it all as “the Second Amendment.”

Madison was preserving, not stirring.

He would be ashamed of what we’ve done with his amendment.

• Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.

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A16 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Commentary

Councilman’s call to disarm police was just a joke?

Pete Kaliner is the host of a daily radio talk show on Asheville’s WWNC (570AM) that airs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This column features posts from his daily blog.

• The following was posted April 8: sheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell took to Facebook the other day and, as he is fond of doing, chummed the waters of the leftwing fever swamp....

The link is to a blog called the Daily Kos, which tests the outer boundaries of moonbattery thanks to contributions from commenters with names like “Deadicated Marxist” and “Happy Misanthropy.”

A total of 111 people were killed by police in the United States in March of 2015.

Since 1900, in the entire United Kingdom, 52 people have been killed by police.

The comparison to the United Kingdom is vital here, because the UK doesn’t arm it’s police forces.

Well, MOST of it’s forces.

Regardless, Bothwell’s suggestion to disarm cops in America is a pretty radical idea, and so columnist John Boyle at the Asheville Citizen-Times asked Bothwell to elaborate on the idea.

As a lead-in, Bothwell wrote, “We’ve got to disarm the cops, methinks.”

That does indeed sound like a call for disarming the police, but Bothwell said he was employing some satire and not making a literal call for disarming.

A

Pete Kaliner “The response to my Facebook post has been hilarious,” Bothwell said. “Apparently, many people don’t know that British police only carried a nightstick until relatively recently. The story I was commenting on noted that American cops killed more people in March 2015 than Brit police have killed since 1900. Hence my observation that perhaps our police should disarm.”

A member of the Public Safety Committee that acts as a liaison to the Police Department, Bothwell sent a follow-up email to make another point.

“The folks who got their panties in a twist over my offhand remark are avoiding the deeper question raised by the article I commented on,” Bothwell said. “Why is it that British police have killed fewer people since 1900 than American police killed in March 2015?”

Ah. Satire.

Is this the same satire Bothwell employed when he said criticism of then-Chief William Anderson was due to racism?

It was satirical when he told the police union to back off on its criticism of the APD until after the election.

Or maybe Bothwell was channeling his inner Twain when he repeatedly told

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constituents to “Stay tuned” as a City-hired consultant surveyed APD officers about problems inside the organization.

‘Twas mere satire when he promised more footwear would be falling once the consultant report was completed.

It was satire when the report did not prove what he promised it would (that there was racism and misogyny infecting the entire APD).

Cecil Bothwell, satirist

The shoes dropping are backpedaling

Bothwell’s backtracking on his suggestion to disarm the police is the normal escape hatch employed when you’ve broken through the Lunacy Limits. His “Just kidding” defense rings a bit hollow, given he’s been an advocate for gun control for a long time.

He also attempts to minimize the blowback by chastising the people who responded to his idea — as if THAT was the point of posting such satirical dumbassery.

“Y’all, I was just trying to stir the pot and get people hacked off. Calm down!”

And he follows these two feeble attempts with the classic “You’re ignoring the deeper issue” argument. Of course, he made no such attempt to argue this “deeper question” in his post. Nor did the linked blog post.

The “deeper question” he mocked people for ignoring was ignored by him, too.

See KALINER, Page A17

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Candid Conservative

America has reached a tipping point that

does not prophesy a thoughtful recovery.

Television – a most efficient portal to darkness – reveals majority addiction to pleasure over all other considerations.

Imagine a past time when explicit porn movie titles would have been displayed on cable schedules for our children to ingest.

Who would have thought condom, sexual performance enhancements and vibrators would be hyped with such nauseating frequency. Our appetites have been redirected to a moral version of fast-food.

As free-thinking individuals we have the power to skip this exploitation game. Dusty Bibles tell us a record of perfected purity is not a necessary entry point. Actions now and forward most sincerely mark character.

It’s not easy to resist the toxic influences of a lost culture. It can be done, though, and Mom and Dad are key. The Bible and churches teaching its moral truths still stand as a great counterinfluence. Then again there’s television. Reruns of “Bonanza” and other old shows still offer remarkably cogent insights on how to do life right.

Men, when women echo feminist hoopla by suggesting you have to be one to know one, resist the effort to shut you up. Silence in the face of our society’s evisceration of women is cowardliness. Tell them you don’t have to be an engine to know how to fix one – and that it’s your job to protect

Continued from Page A16 No, make no mistake, this wasn’t a failed attempt at satire (although his damage control has provided quite a few laughs).

This was a glimpse of what he actually believes but knows it’s too controversial to outright and honestly endorse.

idea of law enforcement patrolling downtown without any firepower.

Council would be forced to choose whether to anger the activist base (and risk electoral defeat), or ride the Bothwell Bus to progressive utopia.

Now, THAT would be funny to watch.

Continued from Page A14

How Do We Harm Women?

The left and feminist activists are correct that the free-love movement, birth-control pill and legalized abortion have been a pronounced source of liberation. But it’s men, not women, who’ve been freed – to do even more of what we already want to do and with less accountability.

Thanks to the left’s “revelry over morality” successes, men can rent women and walk away when a new toy comes along.

We don’t have to earn their affections or commit.

Women are not designed to be toys for little boys. Today’s “liberated” women are having to hyper sell their sexuality to matter.

Setting up a social order defined by degrading women is bad mojo. Our modern society is thus mass producing two commodities – angry women and immature men.

As of today we’ve licensed 60 million abortions in America. Less we pretend this carnage has uplifted women, please note that single parent family statistics have skyrocketed during the same period. How can anyone believe neutering a woman’s matchless gift is advanced thinking?

Solutions

Kaliner

Disarming APD will never be debated

The following was posted April 24:

I have little doubt that Councilman Bothwell would prefer to see American police disarmed.

Indeed, as an elected official that governs an actual police force, he has the ability to make Asheville an example of how to do it. He could offer a proposal to the City Council to disarm APD. But he won’t.

Of course, he won’t.

Doing so would put his liberal council colleagues in quite a political pickle.

There is no doubt that the Democratic activist base would celebrate such a proposal and lobby for its passage. This is the activist base that propels demagogic bloggers into office and feeds off the constant need to be outraged over something.

But there is a business class in Asheville that would decidedly NOT be cool with the

Another candidate for Asheville City Council

The Citizen-Times has a profile piece today of Keith Young - the latest Democrat to declare for the all-Democrat non-partisan City Council.

Young’s announcement Thursday makes him the first black council candidate in six years. If elected in November, Young, who works as a deputy clerk of Buncombe County Superior Court, would be the first African-American man to serve on the council since 1993.

What’s more, he’d be one of the only — if not THE only — Asheville native on the Council, too (depending on whether Jan Davis decides not to run for re-election).

As Matthew wrote in to the show yesterday: There are five qualifications to be on Asheville City Council:

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Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — A17

women and know the difference between sophisticated and stupid. Above all other actions, recognize your opposites as a blessing – when cherished – holding potentials beyond extraordinary.

If you’re a woman, invest in deeper versus popular truths. The left hasn’t liberated your gender; it’s repackaged the despair.

Anyone thus seeking to distract you from your true nature to a politicized construct of what’s best for you is not a friend. A Cadillac can be used to haul firewood, but that’s not what Cadillacs are for.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with a candid conservative….

Conservative Tip of the Month

For a view into the inauthenticity of progressive diversity and sensitivity claims, witness two contrasting Asheville events.

The first was the hanging of a huge gay pride banner on the face of City Hall. No matter their denials, city leaders violated the law in deliberating that decision outside of public view. The mayor’s attempt to link her actions to a two-year old resolution was embarrassingly unethical. The flag was bad thinking, but a later deed was more revealing. On the face of the new Col. Robert Morgan Memorial resting between the city and county buildings is his favorite scriptural reference – John 12:46. Those one-inch letters were mysteriously en-

1) be not from Asheville 2) be a registered Democrat 3) want to change nothing about current city policy 4) receive the blessing of Drew Reisinger’s grassroots crew 5) live in north of I-240 This is why Julie Mayfield will win with about 7,000 votes.

The following was posted April 24:

Subsidizing the sun

Republicans running the North Carolina legislature are showing they are just as adept at crony capitalism as their Democratic predecessors were. From Jon Sanders at the John Locke Foundation, who notes the contradiction GOP leaders are engaging in: Renewable energy lobbyists wailed that the mere appearance of a bill to repeal North Carolina’s renewable energy portfolio standards mandate “dramatically disrupts” investment and jobs in renewable

graved before the monument was officially transferred to the city. Their response has been to blackout the scripture. A tug of war has resulted between staff with black paint and those wanting the lettering to be visible. It remains to be seen who will win, but the 1x6 inch scripture versus the 10x20 foot gay pride banner pretty well sums up Asheville’s political reality. Traditional values are being shoved to the back of the bus.

That’s how change often happens, but don’t buy the left’s soft pretenses. Supremacy is the name of the game and seven shades of blue on the city’s governing council affirms success. Sincere culturists are advised to remember diversity and sensitivity really do matter – even when it involves conservatives.

• Do you have information about a source of mischief in our community?

You can safely contact us at 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 is a former member of Asheville City Council.

energy and “sends shock waves” through the industry.

Those were actual terms used by the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association’s “governmental affairs director,” a title given presumably because “director of rent-seeking histrionics” or “coordinator of public conniptions for public dollars” was too lengthy for business cards.

The hysterics were inordinately premature, as a version of the measure was voted down in committee by Republicans whose official party platform, not even a year old, explicitly calls for “the repeal of the state renewable energy mandate.”

You read that correctly: the official stance of the NC Republican Party is to repeal the renewable energy mandate. So, obviously, when the GOP holds a vetoproof majority they’ll vote to extend the renewable energy mandate.

And the GOP wonders why they get challenged from Tea Party groups during primaries.

A18—May 2015 — Asheville Daily Planet

Letters to the Editor

Continued from Page A14 Oh, that’s where you see all kinds of people. The suits are definitely down there.

Then follow on down Biltmore Avenue to the Fine Arts Theatre and across the street to what I call “The Wall,” where I go every month or so.

Yesterday, I made sure to make buy myself a box of chalk so that I would be able to write some of my bucket list on the “Before I die I want to....” wall.

No, I try hard not to take myself too seriously. Learning to laugh at myself has taken some time.

Here it is my birthday tomorrow (April 28). I have a lunch date with friends scheduled and then a meet-up group in the evening for target shooting.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of dancing on a Tuesday night. Dancing is my current passion. You sure have

to be able to laugh at yourself when you start learning to dance, especially when you start at 55 years old! Your hips, knees and feet don’t flex near as well those of the 25-year-olds out on the dance floor: or those 65-year-olds who have been doing it forever.

But I just laugh at my mistakes and get back out on the floor for the next dance and keep smiling.

Again, I see the striking dichotomy between the pinch-faced suits and the wonderful hippy-dippy goofballs just relaxing, sitting in doorways, strumming on guitars, and having a fun time on a Sunday night.

Becca Taylor Leicester

Continued from Page A1 If you were any more open, you’d have squatters and roosters.

It’s great that you’ve thrown yourself into the trenches of Self-Improvementville, but the way you connect with someone is by letting them see who you are, not poking them in the eye with it every 20 minutes.

Vulnerability shouldn’t be a fancy word for “everything you say or do hurts my feelings.” This Carnival Of Insecurities presented as problems for your boyfriend to solve turns his life with you into a neverending emotional chorewheel. (Remember, he’s in a relationship with you, not a psychology internship.)

This isn’t to say you’re wrong to look to your boyfriend for soothing. But before you press a problem on him, ask yourself how it would affect him, whether he can fix it, and whether it’s really his business to know.

Not all feelings are made for sharing. Some need to go off in a corner and die a quiet death on their own. Still, you aren’t without help in ushering them there. (This is what therapists, best friends, and the JournalingIndustrial Complex were invented for.)

People think that keeping romance alive takes a $10,000-a-night Spanish castle package, complete with moonlight carriage rides with an aria-singing Placido Domingo jogging behind. But it’s actually the mundane daily stuff that matters -- how you and your partner respond to each other’s seemingly unimportant remarks and gestures. It turns out that telling your partner “I can’t find the salt shaker anywhere” isn’t just an expression about a lost object; it’s what marriage researcher John Gottman calls a “bid for connection.”

In a study Gottman did with newlyweds, he found that the ones still married six years later were overwhelmingly those who consistently engaged with their partner and met those “bids” with “turn-towards.”

Turning toward a partner means being responsive -- soothing, encouraging, supportive, or maybe just showing interest. This involves, for example, replying to your partner’s remark about the lost salt shaker -- even with “I hate when that happens!” rather than “Lemme finish this ‘Minecraft’ session” or saying nothing at all (effectively treating them like some old couch you stopped noticing).

This “turning toward” thing is something you and your boyfriend can each do. Think of it as treating each other like you haven’t forgotten you love each other. It’s smart relationship policy and smart life policy -wiser than getting in the habit of responding to a partner’s “I’m starting a machete collection” with “That’s nice, dear.”

Toad Rash

Citizenry urged to remember U.S. Korean War veterans

The Korean War is known as the “Forgot-

Advice Goddess

The guy I’ve been seeing for a month just told me that he doesn’t want a relationship or monogamy. I told him from the start that I was looking for something “real” and wanted to take it slowly.

I did sleep with him too quickly -- on the first date. Still, I feel that men don’t really respect what you say you’re looking for. They get what they want and then leave. How do I keep this from happening in the future?

— Ouch Nothing like tearing off all your clothes on the first date to say “I want to take it slowly.” (Your words said no, but your thighs had a marching band and a banner: “Welcome Home, Big Guy!”) Many women claim to be seeking something “real” — either because they are or because they don’t want it to seem like their exercise program is “the walk of shame.” Guys are hip to this, so they nod their heads about the “real”ness-seeking and then nudge the woman to see whether she’ll tumble into bed. In other words, your problem was not that the guy didn’t “respect” what you said you wanted, but that you didn’t. (This might be a good time to notice that “blame” is just “lame” wearing a “b” as a hat.)

To avoid another Sexodus, match your behavior to your goals. Research (and common knowledge) finds that having sex pronto is a bad idea for a woman who’s looking for something lasting with a guy.

This isn’t to say sex on the first or second date never leads to more. It’s just a risky strategy to sleep with a man before he’s

Foreseen

Continued from Page A2 Feldman added that he feels “there’s a lot of sensationalism in the (news) media on what open media is. Sometimes it’s politicized.” In reality, he said, “We take open records and apply automation to it.... Open data is just the automation of those open-record requests.”

He then asked, rhetorically, “Should as much be open as is open? But that is not a question for me. I am staff. I am not a state legislator. For us, we follow the law.”

A man asked, “What would be an example of data that would need to be redacted?

“A Social Security number would be an example of data that needs to be redacted,” Feldman replied. “Also, some building permits” need to be redacted.

ten War” for two reasons.

First of all, it was too close on the tail of WW2 and the public wasn’t interested in any more wars.

The second reason was that President Truman and Secretary of State Dean Atchison did not want to irritate the Soviet Union . That plan did not work because Russia encouraged China to enter the war in support of North Korea and the Russian Air Force flew missions against South Korea every day.

This war received very little news coverage so the American public knew very little about what was happening.

You might ask “What was happening?”

We were the major force of a United Nations and had more than 20 other countries helping us. It was the world’s first war against Communism. It started on June 25th 1950 when the North Korean army invaded

South Korea. More than 5 million people died before a cease fire was signed on July 27th 1953. Almost 40,000 American soldiers died during that 37 months of fighting and over 100,000 were wounded. We still have more “missing-inaction from Korean than from any other war we ever fought. It was one of the bloodiest wars in American history.

I’m one of the youngest Korean War Veterans and I’ll be 81 years old on August 6th.

Many Korean War veterans also fought in WW2 and they are well into their nineties.

There was no fanfare when they returned from the war and all they want is for the American public to know what they sacrificed in defense of our country .

BILL LACK Commander WNC Chapter 314, Korean War Veterans Association.

Asheville

emotionally attached to you — like when your answer to the question “So… how long have you two lovebirds been together?” is “It’s actually coming up on two and a half beers!”

that sends out zombie squads by radio call, all that you, personally, can do is decide whether you find love and soulmatery worth the trade-offs in terror and tire costs. As for what your boyfriend can do, the answer, unfortunately, is “not much more”: Install video surveillance; document everything she does; and use the legal system to the extent he can (and the extent that seems prudent).

The following advice — to use gratitude as a buffer against ugliness — might sound like it’s from the Little Miss Sunshine Solutions Department, but there’s actually solid science behind it. Research by social psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky and her colleagues finds that people are meaningfully happier when they take regular stock of the things they have to be grateful for.

(A caveat: This happiness-increasing effect was found only for people who did this blessings counting once a week, maybe, the researchers surmise, because doing it more often felt like a chore.)

So consider getting gratitudinal once a week, maybe on Sunday night. You could even write five things down on slips of paper and put them in a “Gratitude Jar” so you have a visual reminder of how good you actually have it when things go bad. This may also help you avoid getting snippy with the irritatingly well-meaning who chirp, “What goes around comes around!” Right. If there is such a thing as karma, it seems to go after the truly heinous offenders first, like all the people who ever dropped a straw wrapper or let out a puff of tail wind in the elevator.

•

Malice In Wonderland

My boyfriend has a crazy ex-wife who can’t let go. She is the meanest, most vengeful and manipulative person, initially convincing the 15-year-old son she has with my boyfriend that I’m the reason “Dad won’t come back.” (He actually divorced her after she, in a fit of rage, made a false police report about him.) She also slashed my tires and spread a rumor that my boyfriend is a child molester. I love him dearly, and we feel we’re soul mates, but his ex-wife is making it so hard to be happy. What can I do?

— Besieged Where is the very small, highly targeted zombie apocalypse when you need it?

Don’t take this woman’s behavior personally. And yes, I’m serious. Assuming what you say about her is true, she seems to be one of those born bar brawlers, ever on the lookout for a reason to break a bottle over someone’s head and start the second Hundred Years’ War. If she could, she’d not only slash your tires but take a sponge bath in the Fountain of Youth so she could live long enough to slash your great-great-grandchildren’s, too.

The problem is, because she isn’t acting from anything resembling reason, there’s no reasoning with her. As personal security expert Gavin de Becker says about the irrationally persistent in his terrific book “The Gift of Fear,” “There is no straight talk for crooked people.” So, practically speaking, short of finding a home security company

Swicegood asked, “You’re exposed to a lot of information... But what safeguards does the city have in place for information that doesn’t need to be made public?”

“I’d have to kill you if I told you,” Feldman quipped, triggering laughter from the CIBO crowd, including Swicegood. On a more serious note, Feldman said, “We don’t talk about specific safeguards. We do security awareness training... In talking with CIOs (chief information officers) they say, overwhelmingly, it’s either an insider threat or someone who didn’t follow the rules” that breaches security.

“We are audited by the FBI, a financial auditor, police accreditation... We get audited a lot,” Feldman said. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as 100 percent security.”

(c.) 2015, 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).

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — A19

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A20 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Entertainment,

Calendar of Events & Sports

Special Section PULLOUT

B1

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015

Elvis salute leaves ‘em ‘all shook up’

By JOHN NORTH

john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com

Elvis tribute artist Donny Edwards wows the crowd at a recent concert, prior to his late April appearances at Flat Rock Playhouse.

FLAT ROCK — Donny Edwards, who performed “An Authentic Heart & Soul Tribute to ‘The King’” (Elvis Presley), proved to be “just a hunk, a hunk of burning love” at the sold-out 250seat Flat Rock Playhouse on April 25.

Edwards, the international, multi-award-winning professional tribute artist who performed April 23-26 at Flat Rock, worked up an Elvis-like sweat in his efforts, very obviously capturing the hearts of most audience members. Besides physically resembling and sounding like young Elvis, Edwards showed his mastery of “the King’s” moves in general, and his choreography in particular.

He also seemed to naturally emulate Elvis with his kindness, humor, charisma and ability to connect with the crowd.

Among the best-received songs of the night were “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” “How Great Thou Art,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Suspicious Minds,” “American Trilogy” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Ever mixing the playful and the profound, Edwards introduced the song “Hound Dog” by quipping, “As a great philosopher once said ....” and then launching into the opening lyrics, “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog....”

For the past 13 years, Edwards has performed his act in Las Vegas, where he now has his own casino show. He also has performed his Elvis tribute in venues around the world. During Elvis Week ‘13 in Memphis, Tenn., Edwards was honored as the only tribute artist permitted by Elvis Presley Enterprises to perform his show on the estate grounds at Graceland since 1977.

He also made clear his deep love and reverence for Elvis — the man and the music. Edwards said he even got married at Graceland. He noted that he was 3 years old and living in his native Texas

Review

Review

when Elvis died in 1977 — and that he loved his music even then. He also said his grandmother considered Elvis to be “the devil” because of his suggestive rock ‘n’ roll songs and his accompanying provocative body movements.

For his Flat Rock shows, Edwards performed two sets — the first as a young Elvis for 30 minutes and the second as an older Elvis for 60 minutes, split by a 15-minute intermission.

He wore a black tweed jacket, black shirt, black trousers, and black shoes with a white tie during the first set, as a young Elvis.

In the second set, Edwards, as an older Elvis, wore a bright-blue high-collared jumpsuit, which was unbuttoned at the top to reveal part of his upper chest. His outfit was accented with silver sequins and he wore a white scarf around his neck.

Throughout the show, he leaned over to bestow scarves on the numerous women who approached the stage from the floor — and the fans left in obvious delight with their trophies.

Edwards was backed by selected local musicians, including two backup singers and a sixpiece band featuring a keyboardist, a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, a trombonist and a trumpeter.

While the instrumentalists were up to speed, the backup singers sounded weak, seeming to be clearly out of their league when matched up with Edwards.

The show started with “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” followed by “Heartbreak Hotel.” At that point, Edwards addressed the audience by joking, “Good evening, this is Justin Bieber!” The crowd laughed and then Edwards more seriously introduced himself as an Elvis tribute artist.

See ELVIS TRIBUTE, Page B6

Four Seasons tribute band pumps new life into old hits

By JOHN NORTH

john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com

HENDERSONVILLE — “Oh, What a Night,” indeed.

On a gloomy and rainy Sunday night, the Garden State Guys, in their playful-yet-powerful tribute show to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, brought a sense of radiant sunshine, delightful harmony and, at times, surreal fun to the cozy confines of Flat Rock Playhouse’s downtown Hendersonville stage on April 19.

The near-capacity crowd of 145 people cheered, laughed, and danced throughout show — and then shouted out for more during a standing ovation at the end of the wellplanned hour-and-45-minute show.

When the quartet returned to the stage for an encore to perform two rollicking, high-energy songs, “Let’s Hang On” and “Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye),” the audience — swaying to the music and grinning at the throwback choreography — appeared to be in ecstasy. The applause was lengthy and enthused.

Especially for a tribute band, it was a pleasant surprise to hear the Garden State Guys’ flair for finishing their songs with memorable endings that often were complementary twists on the originals. Also, the group neither took shortcuts nor omitted some of the more complicated introductory parts of certain songs. Further, the group occasionally embarked on infectious vocal jams, adding new life to the old songs.

For the most part, the four vocalists, along with a band

Special photo courtesy of Flat Rock Playhouse

The Garden State Guys performed a tribute to Frankie Valli and Four Seasons at the FRP in Hendersonville. comprised of select local musicians, sounded fantastic.

J.D. Daw sang the high falsetto parts to emulate Valli.

The other vocalists — Matt Faucher, Kasey Marino and Adair Watkins — also were given chances to sing Valli songs, albeit in renditions that were transposed to lower (hence, easier-to-sing) keys.

Additionally, Faucher exhibited amazing fluidity in his moves during a dance-off later in the show — and his booming bass vocals were also outstanding. Watkins’ terrific trombone skills were another highlight.

The band, which sounded air-tight, included Bill Altman, lead guitarist and music director; Jeff Knorr, keyboardist; Charles Holland, bassist; and Gabe Rohmann, drummer.

The Garden State Guys demonstrated exceptional stage presence, natural rapport with the crowd, true joy in performing the songs, a flair for fun and a bit of well-thoughtout radical revision of a few songs.

Perhaps, the most outstanding aspect of the show was the late 1950s/early ‘60s doo-wop group choreography that was eye-popping — and funny, especially after one has been inundated in today’s less-than-substantial stylings.

The group, which first got its start at the Flat Rock Playhouse in 2011, began the show with ‘C’mon Marianne,” the up-tempo, romantic 1967 hit that was the last Four Seasons’ song to make the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s.

Following sparkling renditions of two of the group’s best-known hits, “Sherry,” and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” the tribute vocalists noted that “two Franks from New Jersey” sang versions of the next song, referring to Frank Sinatra and Frankie Valli. As his fellow vocalists left the stage, Faucher sang a Sinatra-style baritone version of Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

The quartet returned to sing “Working My Way Back to You,” “Big Man in Town,” and “Cry for Me,” which were all performed faithfully, more or less, to the originals.

In a radical twist, the group then performed an a cappella version of “Rag Doll,” starting with a generic doo-wop lyric that was totally different from the original tune, but morphed — interestingly — in and out of the song’s melody and lyrics, producing a pleasingly surreal effect.

This version of “Rag Doll” also had a slight hip-hop feel — and the crowd loved it.

See FOUR SEASONS TRIBUTE, Page B7

B2 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Calendar

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.

Friday, May 1

MEDICAL PRESENTATION, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Fab Friday at OLLI will feature a talk on “Statins: Friend or Foe?” by Tasha Woodall, associate director of pharmacotherapy at MAHEC Family Medicine.

Admission is free and open to the public.

NINA SIMONE FILM SCREENING, noon-3 p.m., YMI Cultural Center, South Market Street, downtown Asheville. A documentary film will present an “up-close and personal portrait” of vocalist and musician Nina Simone, who was from nearby Tryon. In the film, the singer herself and a number of friends, relatives and connoisseurs tell excerpts of her path in music and life.

Admission is free.

MAY DAY RALLY, 5 p.m., Vance Monument, downtown Asheville. A rally to celebrate May Day will be held. It is billed by its organizers as celebrating “the working-class movement’s history and failure ... No war, but class war.”

CONCERT, 5:30-10 p.m., River Arts District, Asheville. RiverLink’s RiverMusic series will make its season debut with the bands The Movement, Satta Roots and Franklin’s Kite. Gates open at 5.

Music starts at 5:30 with the second band playing at 6:45 and the headliner at 8:15. Admission is free.

“WEST SIDE STORY” PRODCTION, 7 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Asheville Lyric Opera will present its production of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” billed as “Broadway’s classic musical love story.”

The show tells a story of the consequences of ethnic violence and romance on the streets of New York City. Among its classic hits are “Tonight,” “America,” “One Hand, One Heart,” “Somewhere” and “I Feel Pretty.” For tickets, which are $20 and $25, visit www.GreatMountainMusic.com, or call 524-1598.

BEATLES/BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE SHOW, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Reuter Center Singers will perform a concert of hits from the 1960s

by The Beatles and The Beach Boys. The concert also will be offered at 7 p.m. May 2 in the same location.

Admission is free and open to the public.

FASCISM LECTURE, 7 p.m., Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. A lecture on “What Is Fascism” will be presented by Dr. John McClain, a UNC Asheville lecturer. The talk is presented to honor International Workers Day 2015. Admission is free.

“DREAMGIRLS” MUSICAL, 7:30 p.m., 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville. The Hendersonville Little Theatre will continue its 50th season with the award-winning musical “Dreamgirls” from April 24 to May 10. The show tells the story of the rise to fame of a 1960s female singing trio featuring Kimbela McMinn, Nicky Sampson and Gaysha Snipes with musical direction by Daniel Hensley. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $24 for adults, $18 for ages 18-25 and $12 for students age 17 and under. For tickets, call 692-1082 or visit hendersonvillelittletheatre.org.

Saturday, May 2

CALEB JOHNSON CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. Asheville’s Caleb Johnson, who won last year’s televised “American Idol” competition series, will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $42 to $64, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.

ANNIE MOSES BAND CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. The Annie Moses Band, featuring a blend of fiddle, jazz and classical influences, will perform in concert.

Sunday, May 3

CHORAL CONCERT, 3 p.m., St. Matthias Church, 1 Dundee St., just off South Charlotte Street at Max Street on the hill across from the Asheville Public Works Building, Asheville. The concert will feature a performance of the “Mag-

nificat” and Cantata No. 8 (Liebster Gott wann werd’ ich sterben) by Bach with a chamber chorus and orchestra. Soloists include: Ruth Johnson and Victoria Barrick, sopranos; Brenda Murphree, alto; Clark Sorrels, tenor; and John Russell, bass.

The program will be conducted by Stephen Klein.

Admission is free but a free-will offering will be taken for the restoration of the church.

CONCERT, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Brevard Music Center Sunday Concert series will feature an hour-long solo and chamber recital by members of the BMC’s faculty. Admission is free and open to the public.

Monday, May 5

WORLD AFFAIRS TALK, 7:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The World Affairs Council of WNC will host a talk on “Globalization” by Laurence Pope, ambassador and 31-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service. Admission is $10.

Wednesday, May 6

OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal. The community orchestra is directed by Milton Crotts. Admission is free and open to the public.

SIERRA CLUB MEETING, 7:15 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Drew Jones will address “Climate Change Interactive Simulation” during a joint meeting of the Sierra Club, Asheville Green Drinks and Mountain True (formerly WNC Alliance). Jones, who works for Climate Interactive, will lead a hands-on, interactive session, where participants will work together to create a global scenario for addressing climate change and then test it in the simulator that his team has built for a wide range of decision-makers from the United Nations to the Chinese government. Socializing will begin at 7 p.m.

“GRACELAND” CONCERT, 8 p.m., Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville. More than 15 local musicians will gather in a collaborative effort to perform Paul Simon’s “Graceland.” Also, dinner will be served at 6 p.m. as part of the the fundraiser for the local nonprofit Helpmate. For tickets, visit www. safeandsoundavl.com.

Thursday, May 7

LECTURE, 7 p.m., Kittredge Theater, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Poet Nikki Giovanni will give a presentation titled “Diversity As Art: Art Is Diversity.” In addition to her fame as a poet, Giovanni is widely known as an educator, orator and civil rights advocate. The event is free and open to the public.

YWCA’S BLACK & WHITE GALA, 7-10:30 p.m., Crest Center & Pavilion, 22 Celebration Place, Asheville. The Stand Against Racism campaign will culminate with the YWCA’s annual Black & White Gala.

PATSY CLINE MUSICAL, 8 p.m., Mainstage, Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock. The FRP will present the musical “Always... Patsy Cline” May 7-31. Shows are at 8 p.m. WednesdaysSaturdays. Matinees also are offered at 2 p.m.

Saturdays. For tickets, call 693-0731.

Friday, May 8

LECTURE, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Room 102-A, Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A lecture, “What Has the Supreme Court Wrought?” will be given by retired Judge Carl Peterson. He will provide a synopsis, and the potential impact, of significant opinions that were published by the U.S. Supreme Court in the October 2013-2014 term and in the current term to date. The discussion will include the controversies that remain pending and will likely be resolved by the court by the end of the session in June 2015. Admission is free.

SYMPHONY TALK, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Symphony Talk series will feature Asheville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Daniel Meyer, who will discuss the ASO’s next concert. Admission is free and open to the public.

LAURA STORY CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Gospel singer Laura Story will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $18, visit www.

GreatMountainMusic.com, or call 524-1598.

CONCERT, 8 p.m., Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon. The Randall Bramblett & Geoff Achison Band will perform. Bramblett and Achison are backed by the rhythm section of Michael Steele and Seth Hendershot, along with guitarist Nick Johnson. For tickets, which are $20, visit www.tryonarts.org.

See CALENDAR, Page B3

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 - B3

C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band will be the featured band in the season’s first Downtown After 5, an outdoor concert series, 5-9 p.m.

May 15 on North Lexington Avenue near the I-240 overpass in downtown Asheville. The opener will be Asheville’s Bayou Diesel Band.

Calendar of Events Continued from Page B2

Saturday, May 9

UNCA COMMENCEMENT, 9 a.m., quad, UNC Asheville. Bestselling novelist Wiley Cash, a UNCA graduate, will address the Class of 2015 at commencement. Honored along with Cash will be Mitchell Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Both will receive honorary doctor of humane letters degrees. Cash, who grew up in Gastonia, graduated 15 years ago with a degree in literature. He is the author of two award-winning and North Carolina-based bestselling novels — “A Land More Kind Than Home” and “This Dark Road to Mercy.” Hicks was first elected principal chief in 2003. He also has been a board member for other Native American institutions and organizations.

Sunday, May 10

LUNCHEON/BAKE SALE, 1 a.m.-2 p.m., The Hellenic Center Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave., Asheville. A Mother’s Day Greek luncheon and bake sale to benefit local philanthropic causes will be held, with meals available on premises — and carryout orders available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To place orders, call 254-7424.

Monday, May 11

LECTURE, noon-1:30 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 115 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville. Kenneth Feinberg, attorney and leading expert in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, will speak on “Unconventional Responses to Unique Catastrophies: Tailoring Mediation to Meet the Challenges” at the Mediation Center’s Speak Your

Peace luncheon. For tickets, which are $60, email Whitney Cooper at whitneyc@mediatewnc.org.

TRANSITION ASHEVILLE SOCIAL, 6:30 -8 p.m., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 337 Charlotte St., Asheville. The Transition Asheville presenter will be Brian Winslett, co-founder of Blue Ridge Biofuels. His topic will be “Wood Gas, Biochar and Running Your Car on Trash.”

Tuesday, May 12

OBJECTIVISTS’ MEETING/DISCUSSION, 6 p.m., meeting room, North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. The Asheville Objectivists will learn about and discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Admission is free and open to the public.

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.

Thursday, May 14

BRANDON HEATH CONCERT, 8 p.m., Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville. Brandon Heath, billed as one of America’s most acclaimed contemporary Christian musicians, will perform in concert.

Tickets are $25 at the door. For advance tickets, which are $30 for floor-level seating or $20 for mezzanine, visit www.uncabulldogs.com/tickets, or call 258-7900.

See CALENDAR, Page B4

Tell our advertisers — who enable us to bring you this newspaper for FREE every month — that you saw their promotions in the Daily Planet!

B4 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — B5

Calendar Events

Continued from Page B3

Friday, May 15

MEDICAL PRESENTATION, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Fab Friday program at OLLI will feature a talk on “Lungs in Health and Disease, Part II” by David Mouw.

Admission is free and open to the public.

OPERA TALK, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Opera Talks series will feature Asheville Lyric Opera Director David Craig Starkey and a cast of industry professionals. They will guide attendees through their operatic world.

Admission is free and open to the public.

DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5-9 p.m., North Lexington Avenue near I-240 overpass, downtown Asheville. C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band — and local band Bayou Diesel — will perform in the first of the season’s Downtown After 5 concert series.

Chenier, son of the “King of Zydeco” Clifton Chenier, joined his father’s Red Hot Louisiana Band playing saxophone at the age of 21. His musical style ranges from the traditional zydeco of Clifton Chenier to modern funk with what are billed as “healthy doses of blues, R&B, swamp pop and even country.” The Bayou Diesel Band performs Cajun, Zydeco and Mardi Gras dance music of Louisiana. Admission is free.

KARAN CASEY CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville. Irish vocalist Karan Casey will perform in concert.

Saturday, May 16

SALUDA ARTS FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.4- p.m., along Main Street, downtown Saluda. The 12th annual Saluda Arts Festival will feature live music, food, a children’s art tent and a variety of art media, including paintings, pottery, woodworking, sculpting, fiber, jewelry, metal and more.

Also, there will be demonstrations of painting, blacksmithing and jewelry-making. The musical headliners, performing on the Ella Grace Mintz State in Top of the Grade Park at McCreery Park, include Hummingtree Band, noon-1:30 p.m., and Sound Investment, 2-4 p.m. Also performing, but with no scheduled set times, are Hog Town Squealers and Foothills Old-Time String Band.

Admission is free.

FILM SCREENING, noon, Fletcher Branch of Henderson County Public Library, 120 Library Rd., Fletcher. The films “Knowing You, Knowing You” and “The Hearing Voices Network ‘25 Years On’ — Vol. 2: From Psychiatry to Society” will be screened. Admission is free.

PROTEST, noon-1:30 p.m., Pritchard Park, downtown Asheville. A protest by the group Just Peace for Israel-Palestine will be held to protest United States support for Israeli policies.

Sunday, May 17

PANEL DISCUSSION, 2-3:30 p.m, The Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd., Asheville.

“Veganism — an Ethical Lifestyle Choice” will be presented by a panel of members of The Asheville Vegan Society at the monthly meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. The panel will include a professional nutritionist, an environmentalist and an animal rights activist and will be led by Joe Walsh, president of The Asheville Vegan Society.

They will discuss reasons for choosing veganism, including the health benefits of a well-planned, plant-based diet; the environmental impact of one’s food choices; food equity and ending world hunger; and the rights of animals.

A discussion will follow the presentaton. Admission is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, May 19

SPEAKER, noon-2 p.m., Crowne Plaza Expo Center, Asheville. Bestselling author, memoirist and prison reform activist Piper Kerman will give the keynote

Way beyond hip and trendy

Asheville Daily Planet

address at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Power of the Purse luncheon. In her memoir, “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” Kerman recounts the time she spent in the Danbury Corrections Facility for a drug trafficking crime committed 10 years previously. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Women’s Fund, a permanent endowmnet of the CFWNC. For tickets, which are $75, visit www. cfwnc.org. For $150, patrons will also have the opportunity to attend a pre-luncheon coffee with Kerman and the event sponsors.

Thursday, May 21

RHYTHM & BREWS CONCERT, 5-9 p.m., Azalea Parking Lot, along King Street between 3rd and 4th avenues, downtown Hendersonville.

The monthly Rhythm & Brews outdoor summer concert series will make its 2015 debut. Beer, wine and food will be available.

Friday, May 22

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FILM SCREENINGS, noon, activity room, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville. The films “Knowing You, Knowing You” and “The Hearing Voices Network ‘25 Years On’ — Volume 2: From Psychiatry To Society.” Admission is free.

BOSTON CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee.

The rock band Boston will perform in concert.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.

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Saturday, May 23

THe COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. An evening of family worship and praise will be performed by The Collingsworth Family. For tickets, which are $15, $20 and $25, visit www.GreatMountainMusic. com, or call 524-1598.

Sunday, May 23

LECTURE, 6:30-9 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. A lecture will be given by Sandor Katz, author of “The Art of Fermentation,” which received a James Beard award. Admission is free and open to the public.

Thursday, May 28

TALLEST MAN ON EARTH CONCERT, 9 p.m., The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville.

Kristian Matsson, a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden, who plays under the stage name of The Tallest Man on Earth, will perform in concert. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show.

Friday, May 29

MEETING, 3:15 p.m., media room, BrooksHowell Home, Merrimon Avenue, Asheville. The group Just Peace for Israel-Palestine will meet to discuss its opposition to United States support for Israeli policies.

See CALENDAR, Page B5

Jay Leno will present his comedy show at 7:30 p.m. May 30 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort in Cherokee. Leno, who was a host (1992 to 2009) of CBS-TV’s “Tonight Show,” is also a comedian, actor, writer, producer and voice actor.

Calendar

Continued from Page B4

of

Events

Saturday, May 30

JAY LENO COMEDY SHOW, 7:30 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. Jay Leno will perform his comedy show. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.

Saturday, June 6

MERLE HAGGARD CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. Country music star Merle Haggard will perform in concert. For tickets, visit www. ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.

Friday, June 12

CONCERT, 5:30-10 p.m., River Arts District, Asheville. RiverLink’s RiverMusic series will make its season debut with the performances

by Ben Miller Band, Red Dirt Revelators and The Toothe. Gates open at 5. Music starts at 5:30 with the second band playing at 6:45 and the headliner at 8:15. Admission is free.

Saturday, June 27

SEINFELD SHOW, 7 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, U.S. Cellular Center, downtown Asheville. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will perform.

Tickets start at $65 before fees.

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B6 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet

Sports Commentary

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Carolina Panthers pull tough schedule

Tank Spencer is the host of a weekly sports talk show, “The Sports Tank,” on Asheville’s News Radio WWNC (570AM) that airs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Spencer also serves as WWNC’s news anchor, reporter and afternoon producer. This column features posts from his blog.

• The following was posted April 22:

Tank Spencer

games (5 of 8). The 5-3 Panthers should have no trouble picking up at least four wins out of the last eight, meaning they should finish, at worst, 9-7.

The Carolina Panthers are coming off back-to-back NFC South titles and the The biggest news of the schedule release team’s schedule for the coming season is the Panthers will be playing on Thanksdoes them no favors. The Panthers have an giving Day for the first time in franchise early bye week in Week 5 and the first four history. Cam Newton and company will go matchups are favorto The Big D to take able, meaning they on Tony Romo and the could be undefeated by Cowboys. The probthe break. lem there is… that’s The next stretch of still in November and games will set the tone before the usual Dallas for the season and tell December collapse. just how good the PanObviously, there thers can be. are a lot more roster Starting Oct. 18, moves to be made, the Panthers face considering we two-time defending NFC Champ Seattle in Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn haven’t even gotten to the draft yet. the Emerald City, the (left) talks with Carolina Panther If the team does not re-tooled Philadelphia and former Auburn quarterback do more to address Eagles on Sunday Cam Newton during spring practhe offensive line isNight Football at tice April 14 at the Auburn Athletic sue, that will have an home, Andrew Luck Complex in Auburn, Ala. impact on how I feel and the Indianapolis about this team. Another wide receiver is Colts on Monday Night Football at home, and then Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay needed as well.

Unless they can get an elite pass-rusher Packers come to Charlotte on Nov. 8. The to add to the stable, the Panthers must Panthers will likely drop three of the four.

The rest of the season it’s mostly road spend their No. 1 pick on a tackle.

Elvis tribute

Continued from Page B1 Edwards noted that he has visited many American states, but told the audience, “you all have the most beautiful state (he has visited) so far.” He noted that he has been busy in Western North Carolina, with the April 25 show being his fifth in the area in three days.

Other first-set songs included “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Teddy Bear,” “Too Much,” “Wear My Ring,” “Hound Dog,” “Stuck on You,” “It’s Now or Never” and “Viva Las Vegas.”

Prior to singing “Love Me Tender,” Edwards joked the song would be an ideal song for snuggling up — “if you’re with your wife or girlfriend or both... but that would be kind of awkward.” The crowd laughed.

During the performance of “Teddy Bear,” a stage-hand brought smiles to many faces in the crowd as he carried a laundry basket full of teddy bears onto the stage and handed them, one-by-one, to Edwards, who then tossed them into the eagerly outstretched arms of audience members.

Upon finishing “Teddy Bear,” Edwards prompted more laughter from the crowd when he deadpanned, “If you caught a bear, we’ll need them after the show, so just drop them off” — as “we’ve got to pay for the pizza” for the band later.

The second set began with “That’s All Right, Mama,” followed by “Proud Mary,”

“You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “You Gave Me a Mountain,” “Polk Salad Annie,” “Love Me,” “My Way,” “Burning Love,” “In the Ghetto,” “Can’t Stop Loving You” and “What Now My Love.”

Prior to singing “My Way,” Edwards noted that there was “a big difference between Elvis and Frank” — not only in their personalities, but also in how they sang that particular song. “Elvis was a nice guy,” he said. “He’d buy you a car... Frank would bury you in a car.”

Appearing a bit winded after giving his all with his movements and singing to “Polk Salad Annie,” Edwards joked that, “now, it’s a tossed salad.”

Other second-set songs included “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I’ll Remember You,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Wonder of You,” “Hurt,” “Suspicious Minds,” “American Trilogy” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

The crowd gave Edwards a standing ovation at the end of the show. The lights went up as the concert concluded without an encore.

In the spirit of the crowd-pleasing “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” an exhausted-butenthused Edwards made himself available for more than an hour for a meet-and-greet with fans, who formed a long line outside an auxiliary building on the playhouse premises.

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Complete CompleteFabric Fabric FabricCenter Center Center Complete Complete Fabric Center Complete Fabric Center Complete Fabric Center                                                                                                                                              

Drapery DraperyMaterial Material Material Drapery Drapery Material Drapery Material Drapery Material               

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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

Four Seasons tribute Harlem,” “Don’t You Worry About Me” —

Continued from Page B1 The group noted that Bob Gaudio of the Four Seasons was inspired to write “Rag Doll” after encountering a beautiful homeless woman in New York City. Referring to the lyric fragment, “Such a pretty face... should be dressed in lace,” a group member joked that the song was all about “a hot, homeless chick,” which triggered laughter from many in the crowd.

The group finished the 50-minute first set with “My Eyes Adored You,” “Spanish

and, finally, a smashing rendition of “Dawn (Go Away),” which ranked among the liveliest and most-crowd-pleasing songs of the night.

After a 20-minute intermission, the 40-minute second (and last) set began with the mega-hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” followed by Valli’s “Grease,” which was written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.

During “Grease,” Faucher engaged in a hilarious dance-off with a woman posing

Horoscope May 2015

Aries: Seek to strengthen your mental capacity in order to help your career prosper this month. Emotional issues will dominate over finance and career. Two eclipses in May will bring major transformations for Aries, but anxiety is not needed with these changes.

Just BREATHE, and listen to yourself. Do not let the opinions of others influence your decisions this month.

Taurus: Self-will is dominating this month for you. Decide what you want, and work at achieving your goals in May. Also, try to find a balance between your emotional issues and your personal ambitions. There is no need to depend on others. Go get it!

Gemini: Some turbulence is in order for you this month. Learn to adapt the changes that the two eclipses in May will bring in. Be careful of what your do because your actions will set the tone for what is to come.

Cancer: Prepare to trample your opposition this month. Certain planetary alignments will bring some road blocks to your success.

Major changes in career, relationships and spirituality, which will be in effect for a long time, are in order.

Leo: Learn to find a balance between selfwill and social grace this month. Know when to assert your self and when to be flexible in a situation. Take a look at your attitude towards certain family members and see if they need to be corrected.

Virgo: Major changes are in order for you on the work front. Get ready to be engrossed in these changes. You may be tempted to go on a shopping spree or two this month. Try to find a balance between common sense and idealism.

Libra: Family affairs will take a back seat to your career this month. Don’t worry. You will have the support of your family backing you while you focus on your career goals.

The eclipses in May will be good to you. It will be easy for you to adapt to the changes they bring.

Scorpio: Get ready to suppress your tendency for stubbornness this month. Try to find solutions that make all involved parties happy when it comes to arguments in May. Eclipses this month will make life exciting and progressive for you. Family, emotional feelings, and career will be equally important to you.

Sagittarius: Put your career and personal ambitions on the back burner this month. It’s time to focus on family and sensitive issues. Also, try to exercise your social communication abilities in May. Capricorn: Enjoy your success this month. While doing that, don’t forget to look at problems with family and children in May.

Hazel Hopper Try to avoid depressive feelings. Rely on others to attain your goals.

Aquarius: Learn to be flexible in the art of compromise if you want to achieve your goals this month. Put more focus on family and psychological issues. It’s a good time to pursue long forgotten hobbies.

Pisces: Time to decide what you want and take necessary action to get it. Seek to have peace in the family which will help with success in your career at a later date. If a situation is against you, then change the situation.

• Hazel Hopper lives in Asheville.

Asheville Daily Planet — May 2015 — B7

as a member of the crowd. Both exaggerated their movements to great effect. The woman later was revealed by the quartet to be a member of the playhouse.

Also performed was “Fallen Angel,” which Valli wrote for his daughter. It was noted that the song was a big hit in Europe, but not in the United States.

At that point, the group performed, as it did earlier with “Rag Doll,” a radicalbut-pleasing a cappella version of “Stay,” beginning with a generic doo-wop lyric and weaving back and forth into and out of the

tune and lyrics.

Perhaps the most humorous choreography of the night was during a stellar performance of the song “Walk Like a Man,” in which the group members emulated macho men high-stepping in place with chests puffed out and chins lifted high.

The second set concluded with renditions of “My Girl,” a classic by The Temptations written by Smokey Robinson; “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” considered by many as Valli’s magnum opus; and the finale, “Who Loves You.”

B8 - May 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet