Asheville Daily Planet June 2013 by John North

Bob Dylan’s two-hour concert in Asheville? It was mixed bag — See Bob Dylan Review, Pg. 11

Bob Dylan

‘British Invasion’ band takes no prisoners in Franklin, N.C. Peter Noone

— See Herman’s Hermits Review, Pg. 17

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June 2013

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Water system transfer put on 2-mo. hold

From Staff Reports

A judge’s ruling blocking the transfer of the Asheville water system to a regional authority will put the matter on hold for two months or more, Asheville City Attorney Bob Oast recetntly told media outlets. The judge’s action blocks a new state law that would end city control of the system. The attorneys involved in the case, and a Wake County Superior Court judge, agreed to the delay on May 20. Next, a judge will decide whether to prevent enactment of the law — transferring the system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District — until the lawsuit is settled. On May 14, the city’s request for a temporary restraining order barring a transfer was granted by a Raleigh judge and was to expire May 20. However, the latest action provides a delay for at least two more months, according to Oast. In its filing, the city contended it would suffer irreperable harm if the transfer occurred. Asheville’s complaint asked that the law be struck down as a violation of the state and federal constitutions and a state law designed to protect holders of bonds issued by local governments, such as the city. The law “is devoid of any rational basis for the transfer” and calls for “an uncompensated taking of the water system assets by the state,” the suit states.

Daily Planet Staff Photos

Downtown rocks

The monthly Downtown After Five street party resumed May 17 with performances by The Empire Strikes Brass (above) and Big Funky Nation (left) at North Lexington Avenue in Asheville. Hundreds attended (below).

‘Scariest man in America’ addresses fears Overdue solar flare or an EMP? Could send world back to Dark Ages

By JOHN NORTH

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com

WAYNESVILLE — For a second consecutive year, keynote speaker William Forstchen was introduced as “the scariest man in America” — and lived up to that billing with urgent apocalyptic warnings — at the Heritage Life Skills II conference on May 18 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds. The event drew about 225 people, which organizers Bill and Jan Sterrett of Carolina Readiness Supply Inc. said, rated as a success and about the same turnout as last year. A number of vendors had tables at which they could display and sell their products and services. The event revolved around classes that taught a number of survival skills that have been lost in modern American culture,

including butchering, candle-making and fire-starting.” Forstchen, a Montreat College history professor, is the author of “One Second After,” a New York Times bestseller about the effects to the area around Black Mountain, including Asheville, in a scenario where an electro-magnetic pulse has been detonated above the United States, shutting down the electrical grid and frying the insides of all things digital, rendering them useless. “You cannot call yourself a prepper if you’ve never read the book, “One Second After,’” the emcee, who asked that his name not be used, told the crowd. “I introduced him one time as ‘the scariest man in Amerca’ — and I meant it from the bottom of my heart. He’s what I consider the godfather of prepping — wha-a!!

— kind of like (late soul-singer) James Brown!” The crowd laughted heartily at the emcee’s buildup for Forstchen. “I think a lot of the author and I think a lot of the book…. Without further ado, Dr. William Forstchen William Forstchen!” Nonplussed at the revved-up introduction, Forstchen greeted the audience and told how he got into the subject of his book — EMPs — after someone had noted the paralyzing threat they pose, but that there is little public interest in them, that “there is no constituency” for them.

Forstchen said he had driven to his Black Mountain home late one night several years ago after learning about EMPS and “I got in late and peeked in at my daughter,” who was 12 at the time, and began bawling after seeing her sleeping so peacefully. “Thus started a series of interviews and the book evolved,” he said. “So I wrote the book. It’s been out about four years. The joy for me is seeing this (gathering). Other people have picked up the ball and gone further. My book was like an undergraduate primer, laying out the basics. After seeing recent responses to catastrophes, “I have totally given up on the federal government — from the top down — doing anything (efficiently) on any emergency,” Forstchen said. See ‘SCARIEST,’ Page 7

2 —June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

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Mumpower to delay leaving GOP for now

From Staff Reports

Special Photo by MONROE GILMOUR

Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell (second from right) was among the attendees of a Scouts for Equality Day of Action event May 10 at the Boy Scouts of America’s Daniel Boone Council Headquarters in Asheville. At the far right is Brad Hankins, national campaign director of Scouts for Equality.

Rally held to back lifting ban on openly gay scouts From Staff Reports

Prior to the May 23 vote by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America to drop its ban on openly gay members, a number of local activists held a May 10 rally outside the Boy Scout headquarters in Asheville to urge the action that later was taken. Among those in attendance was Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell, who is running for re-election. “I’m an Eagle Scout, as was my brother and my father, and was really active in scouting through all my teen

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years,” Bothwell said. “I know when I was in scouts in the ‘60s, there were gay scouts then. We knew about it, and we were OK with it. “By banning those people, they are encouraging them if they want to particioate to lie, and that’s worng. That not what scouts are about,” Bothwell said. The May 23 vote to drop the ban on openly gay scouts follows months of debate both within the Boy Scouts and among outside interest groups. Previously, the Boy Scouts came under fire for banning openly gay scout leaders, a policy still in place.

Prominent Asheville conservative activist and leader Carl Mumpower said in a May 17 email to the Daily Planet that “ I won’t drop out (of the Republican Party) until they have successfully seized the water system. The lawsuit put that on hold.” Mumpower, a former member of Asheville Council and vice mayor, had announced on April 26 that he would leave the GOP over what he termed “legislative larceny” of the Asheville water system. His reference was to the legislature’s vote to transfer the assets of the city-controlled water system to the regional Mentropolitan Sewerage Authority. Meanwhile, on May 10, Mumpower released a statement titled “Asheville Council Is Right to Take Legal Action Against Legislative Theft.” He said City Council’s reasons for fighting the water seizure are “crystal clear.” Further, Mumpower asserted, “My party’s Republican majority in Raleigh, under the local leadership of state Reps. Tim Moffitt, Nathan Ramsey and Chuck McGrady are a few days away from commandeering Asheville’s water system. “Asheville’s City Council is to be commended for their decision to fight back with one of the few cards remaining in their deck. Taking legal action merits support and enthusiasm by all citizens — especially those with a firm interest in fair play.” Here are some of the “much-repeated misassumptions” that, he said, merit challenge: • “This is a waste of money” — No, just the opposite. Spending several hundred thousand dollars in the attempt to salvage

a billion dollar plus asset is a smart investment. Surrender will result in a lifetime burden for city residents and taxpayers. • “They haven’t cooperated” — When a stranger begins their relationship with you by kicking down your door and announcing their intention to rob you, cooperative potentials are dramatically impaired. In view of the dollars involved, isolated use of imminent domain to seize the city water system, and unprincipled abuse of powers by the Republican majority in Raleigh - our elected officials should be passionately resistant and everything but cooperative. • “Asheville deserves what they’re getting.” - City residents and neighbors with a conservative take on the issues have every right to resent and resist Asheville’s liberal propensity for special interests, spending other people’s money, social reengineering, and “anyway you like it” values. In America, people of principle fight those misbehaviors with engagement, voting, active protest, and other responsible means. Revenge politics whereby core principles are betrayed, truth is manipulated, and theft is validated represent power politics - not leadership. It is not possible to get to good places through bad means. • “The water is owned by everyone.” - No, it is not. The majority of our state’s distributed water is managed and sold as a commodity through municipalities run by elected officials. The much-ignored foundation for making Asheville a lone exception is found in Sullivan Acts II and III which were passed by an unprincipled abuse of powers by the then Democratic majority in Raleigh. Asheville’s founders were smart enough to purchase the two watersheds that represent the heart of Asheville’s water system.

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6 — June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

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‘Scariest’

Continued from Page 1 “Only yesterday we were going through a major solar storm” and. the only reason we survived is because” the huge explosion on the sun did not score a direct hit on the Earth. Such storms, Forstchen said are known as coronal mass ejections (or CMEs), and if the hit the Earth squarely, “We’re talking about an environmental disaster.” Specifically, he said they could disrupt GPS navigation, satellite communications and power grids. Every 100 or 150 years, the sun emits a CMI that wreak havoc with the Earth. Given the current over-dependence on technoloy of most people, “if it hits us today, it will be a global disaster taking out the power grid from 20 degrees south to 20 degrees north. Most of us will die... Within three days, we’d be scrambling for what’s left,” Forstchen warned. “The good thing with a CME is we’d at least have 24 hours warning... In the (last) big one in 1859, called the Carrington Event, telegraph wires melted off the poles, railroad ties caught on fire….” He then expressed his delight that the prepper movement is growing. “The first time Jan called me, she said maybe 60 people would be attending. Next time, it was about 600” at another conference. I’ve been in labs out west, to Washington, D.C. and to the U.S. War College in Carlisle, Pa., addressing — and listening to — military insiders on the threats posed by EMPs and CMEs. What he has learned strikes fear in his heart, Forstchen said. Ever the history professor, he added,“I’ll finished with my favorite Abraham Lincoln favorite quote (from Lincoln’s 1862 address to Congress: “Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We — even we here — hold the power, and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free — honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best, hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just — a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.” Forstchen said, “So many people went through the Depression and then World War II. We have to make sure that we can pass to our children and grandchildren and, as Abraham Lincoln said, “to generations unborn.” During a question and answer period, someone asked, “Where are we as an update with Iran and North Korea?” “They’re a bunch of cranky loonies,” Forstchen quipped. “I mean ladies, would you go out with a 28-year-old guy with a hairstyle like that?” (He was referring to the reclusive country’s young leader, Kim Jong Un.) “From a psychological view, he wants to make his own mark. So what’s his mark going to be? ‘Who do we kill?’ That guy scares the hell out of me because he has the classic profile of a sociopath. “I do love the one photo of his generals lined up… They have so many medals that they have a flap sewed on. They haven’t fought a war” in decades. “That’s a psy-

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013— 7

chotic nation? “Iran — most of the people in Iran want to get rid” of their leader. “They want to be mainstream, but the fanatics remain in control.” He told of a photo that was so horrifying to what they did to this poor girl in Iran…. It’s insanity. And again they feel that they’re fulfilling particular prophecies in opposing the United States.” He then asked, “Why is Sept. 17, 1949 so important to the Polish people? “It’s the day that the Poland was knifed in the back by the Society Union.” Then, he noted, “There was a Russian submarine cruising around the Gulf of Mexico for a week recently. Previously, (before President Obama) that would have been unheard of.” Forstchen then prompted laughter when he said, “You know, I promised my daughter that my next book would be titled “The Happy Bunny Goes to Town.” “I actually just finished a book about spacial aliens, but it’s a happy book. My daughter asked if I was on medication.” Turning serious, Forstchen said, “Economic manipulation on a global level is part of the game. “So we’re prepping for a number of things… My particular issues are EMPs and CMEs, but when the lights go out… nobody’s going to care why.” someone asked, “How does precious metals figure into this?” “I believe everybody who’s preparing … the precious metal market has been wicked crazy for the past several months. A year ago, silver was up as high as $47. It’s down” now. “And gold is down to $1,350 right now. I think everybody, within legal consideration, should keep an eye on it....” “Hey, take out $10 or $20 per week. Buy dimes, quarters and half-dollars. People know when they’re looking at a Peace Dollar that they’re looking at real silver.” someone asked about the cascading effect overloading the system. “A new power plant needs a hell of a lot of power going into to bring it back up to speed so it can pump power out,” Forstchen said. “You still need the power for four days, or you;ll have another Chernobl. I hope the wind blows out of the northwest because I wouldn’t want to be in Charlotte.” As for the Chinese threat, he said, “The Chinese enhanced bomb… a gamma ray burst coming of a bomb, meaning a weapon designed for a maximum EMP. … The Chinese don’t scare me too much because their infrastructure is as delicate as ours. “There’s three worlds in China — the world we see (living 1st world), miles out of Beijing (it’s second world) and there’s a third world with a Maoist leaning. So they’re afraid... So the Chinese have as much to lose as we do. But now if a rogue state messes us up …” A second speaker, Chris Weatherman, aka Mr. Angery American (author of “go-

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“Some people will be looking out for themselves…. There will be tough decisions. That’s where leadership comes in. In the series, you’ll see how the series plays out. How things happened in the book is never revealed. If all of our cars went out, it won’t matter why it happened. It’s a matter of what to do nope. Once you’re there, your there,” the author said.

Angery American ing Home”) said, “I didn’t intend to write a book. I was just writing a story on the Internet … I’m a huge fan of this book (“One Second After”), but I couldn’t relate to it on a lot of levels. “If everything goes bad …. What if you take everything away? What if you’re away from home? You’re in a scary place. … He’s got a basic bag in his car and he’s got one firearm…. In a world where everyone’s suddenly plunged into 100 years ago, it may not be enough. The only thing he’s thinking about is getting home to his family --- 100 miles away. It takes him a little over two weeks to walk 250 miles. He runs into everything… If something like this happens, people are going to evolve into two groups -- predator and prey. “I don’t feel under our current situation, with what our politicians have done to drive a wedge to divide us… It’s even worse than the civil war. We’ve got dozens of factions -- along racial lines, political lines, etc…. When you have all of these groups, are they going to work together…. The biggest point to the beginning of that is what do you have to start. “The vast majority of society looks at us like lone. … At some point in a fiveyear span, you’re going to need a generator. What do most people do? They go to Lowe’s or Home Depot when a storm approaches. Don’t take it out of the box and then return it when the storm doesn’t come. “You don’t really think about a lot of things (meds) until you need them. “It’s the same thing here ... if a disaster hits, it’s too late to go out looking for something. “In the story, this fellow meets some good people, who help him out. He does get home. (It’s a five-book series). Then the story is what happened to his community since he was gone…. I can see a Balkanization… In the book, we get into small communities working together. Some small communities not working together.

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Members of the Asheville Tea Party gather to protest at mid-day May 21 in front of the IRS Office in downtown Asheville.

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Tea Party protests IRS’ ‘abuse’ Several dozen members of the Asheville Tea Party showed up May 21 in front of the IRS Office to protsst what they termed “the IRS abuse of power.” Moreover, the proest was “to affirm Asheville Tea Party’s support of the Fair Tax that will eliminate the out-of-control IRS,” the ATP noted. The ATP joined with other citizen groups across the nation for a national day of protest of the IRS’ unfair treatment of conservative groups. “Asheville Tea Party Incorporated has

been one such group that was repeatedly told since 2012 that we were not a tax exempt organization, a 501 (c) 3,” ATP Chairwoman Jane Bilello noted in a press release. “Losing our tax-exempt status affects donations. We were told that we would have to file again as a 501 (c.) 4, but the paperwork never came, which added to the frustration of filing our 2012 tax return,” she said. Further, Bilello asserted, “ATP supports government fiscal responsibility and accountability as required by the Constitution of our free Republic,”

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10 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

JUNE SPECIAL!!!!

Concert Reviews and Calendar of Events

Special Section PULLOUT

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 11

Dylan’s show termed a mixed bag Songwriting icon sings, plays only the piano, fails to address Asheville crowd

By Dave Rowe

Special to the Daily Planet

Hard to believe the guy’s 71. Bob Dylan in his April 30 Cellular Center appearance in downtown Asheville — along with his seamless five-piece band — played a two-hour set, consisting mainly of his music of recent years leaning mainly on this year’s release “Tempest,” his 35th album. A stylistically varied work, Dylan performed its blues “Early Roman Kings,” “Roll On John,” a gentle tribute to John Lennon as well as several others. Also included in the set was 1998’s “Love Sick,” the tune punctuated by a streaker when performed at the Grammys.. Decked out in a dark-blue suit and pointedtoed cowboy boots, Dylan did dip back into his voluminous catalog, offering up 1974’s “Tangled up in Blue,” 1966’s Visions of Johanna,” 1967’s All Along the Watchtower,” and 1965’s “Ballad of a Thin Man,” the encore. Initially, Dylan stood at the front of the blue-lit stage without an instrument, singing in his gritty yet expressive voice before chiming in on a grand piano, which he played for the most part standing up. At no point did he touch a guitar, and signature harmonica riffs were few and far between. At no point either did he say a word, although he did give the crowd a bow at the end. The crowd, which filled roughly threefourths of the center, consisted mainly of the middle-aged, although some appeared to be the age of Dylan himself. Some were younger and several people commented on how the acoustics of the building had improved following multi-millions of dollars of work. Opening the show — precisely on time — was the Los Angeles-based Dawes. This band, which recently recorded a CD here, played clean, catchy rock ‘n’ roll, not unlike that of the Wallflowers, the band fronted

Above left is a photo of Bob Dylan as he appears now, while above middle and right are covers two of his iconic albums “Highway 61 Revisited.” (1966) and “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” (1963). by Dylan’s son Jakob. The Wallflowers recently played Asheville’s Orange Peel nightclub, as did the senior Dylan four years ago. For Bob Dylan, it was on to Charlotte the next night, Raleigh the next night, a night off, then on to Charleston, S.C., as part of a several-months-long tour. Tagging behind the black-and-gray tour bus is a smaller one populated by people — unauthorized by the tour — who stand outside facilities passing out literature dissecting Dylan’s spiritual leanings. • The set list for Dylan’s eighth concert in Asheville was as follows: “Things Have Changed” “Love Sick” “High Water (For Charley Patton)” “Soon After Midnight” “Early Roman Kings” “Tangled Up In Blue”

“Pay In Blood” “Visions Of Johanna” “Spirit On The Water” “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’” “Blind Willie McTell”

“What Good Am I?” “Thunder On The Mountain” “Scarlet Town” “All Along The Watchtower”

“Ballad Of A Thin Man”

12 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Calendar

Events

Send us your calendar items

Saturday, June 1

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY, 2-4 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1735 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville. A copy of a new book will be launched into the sky via balloons at 2:30 p.m. during a launch party for “Take It From the Top: What to Do With a Peak Experience” by Dr. Edward O’Keefe. Also, music by Hot Duck Soup will be featured. The book is a collection of some 90 “peak experiences” as told by 75 well-known and little-known people, with the author’s commentary. POET LAUREATE’S READING, 3 p.m., Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., downtown Hendersonville. Joseph Bathanti, N.C. poet laureate, will present his works. AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION, 3 p.m., Accent on Books, 854 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Andy Douglas will present his book, “The Curve of the World: Into the Spiritual Heart of Yoga.” BACK-DECK CONCERT, 6-8 p.m., Little Rainbow Row’s back deck, corner of Greenville Highway and Blue Ridge Road, downtown Flat Rock. Tom Fisch will perform in an outdoor concert, weather permitting. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs. Admission is free. KAT WILLIAMS CONCERT, 7 p.m., green space in front of Hickory Tavern and Brixx Pizza, Biltmore Park, Asheville. Asheville singer Kat Williams will open the 2013 Concerts in the Park summer series. Admission is free. BLUE JEANS BALL, 7-11 p.m., MANNA

FoodBank headquarters, 627 Swannanoa River Rd., Asheville. MANNA FoodBank’s annual Blue Jean Ball will include small-plate grazing from more than 20 Asheville-area Mark Lowry will sing restaurants and and tell jokes during a large selection a show at 7:30 p.m. of beer and wine. June 1 at the Smoky Live music will be Mountain Center for provided Byron the Performing Arts in Hedgepath and Mike Holstein, Franklin. The Broadcast and Flashback Sally. In addition, a DJ will spin the top hits of the 1980s. A silent auction will be offered. All proceeds will benefit the food bank. For tickets, which are $70, visit MANNAFoodBank.org or call 299-3663. CHRISTIAN SINGER/COMEDIAN, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Mark Lowry will perform Christian music and comedy. For tickets, which are $18 and $20, call 524-1598 or visit greatmountainmusic.com. ECO-OPERA, 7:30 p.m., Wysteria Event Center, 56 N. Main St., Weaverville. “Dueling Do Eco-Opera” will be hosted by Opera Creations. For tickets, which include food and the show (with the opportunity to buy libations at the bar), visit www.operatcreations.org. STING/THE POLICE REVUE, 8 p.m., Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The FRP will present “A Tribute to the Music of Sting and The Police.” For tickets, which are $24, call 693-0731 or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org. JOHNNYSWIM CONCERT, 8 p.m. Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon. Johnnyswim, a folk-soul-pop-blue duo, will perform.

HENDERSONVILLE 697-9686 1911 Four Seasons Blvd.

ASHEVILLE 254-6007 960 Patton Ave.

For tickets, which are $15, call 859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org. CONCERT, 8 p.m. The Altamont Theatre, 18 Church St., downtown Asheville. Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will perform with special appearances from some of Asheville’s most prominent names in jazz. For tickets, which are $10, call 348-5327.

Sunday, June 2

CONCERT, 3 p.m., Deerfield Retirement Community, 1617 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville. Asheville Young Musicians Club will present its annual benefit concert. For tickets, which are $20 for adults and $10 for students, call 681-9732.

Tuesday, June 4

TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT, 7:30 a.m., Biltmore

Park Hilton, Asheville. Meet the Geeks is hosting the Western North Carolina Business & Information Technology Summit. For more information, visit www.wncbitsummit.com.

Wednesday, June 5

MUSICAL, 8 p.m., Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock. The FRP will present “Evita,” billed as a “dynamic musical masterpiece,” through June 30. The show will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — and at 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, which are $40 for the general public, $38 for seniors, AAA and the military and $30 for students, call 693-0731 or (866) 732-8008.

See CALENDAR, Page 13

Bring in this ad or mention Daily Planet for your free gift!!! Use your Go Local Card for 10% off. Offer good thru 06-30-13

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 13

Calendar of Events

Continued from Page 12

Friday, June 7

LIBERTARIAN STATE CONVENTION, 6 p.m., Mountain Lodge & Conference Center, 42 McMurray Rd., Flat Rock. The Libertarian Party of North Carolina will hold its annual convention from 2 p.m. June 7 through 2 p.m. June 9. The official business of the convention will be to amend the bylaws and elect new officers. However, convention organizers announced that most of the convention will be spent on learning the special skills that are essential to any social or political movement. Convention speakers will include Carla Howell, the national Libertarian Party executive director, Michael Cloud, a noted Libertarian author and speaker, and J. Neil Schulman, noted libertarian author and filmmaker. For more information, visit www.lp.org or call (828) 693-9910. TALENT COMPETITION, 6 p.m., green space in front of Hickory Tavern and Brixx Pizza, Biltmore Park, Asheville. A weekly Asheville talent search competition will be held each Friday through June 28. Admission is free. MUSIC ON MAIN STREET, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. Local band Tuxedo Junction will open the annual Music on Main Street summer concert series.

Saturday, June 8

BOAT RACE/FESTIVAL, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Morse Park, Lake Lure. The 6th Annual ‘Lure of the Dragons” Boat Race & Festival will be held. The boat races and festival combine a full day of fun, family entertainment and the joy of dragon boat racing with a mission to raise money for local area children’s charities. CRAFT BAZAAR, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Big Ivy Community Club, 540 Dillingham Rd., Barnardsville. A craft bazaar is scheduled, with a rain date of June 15 also set.

DASHBOARD BLUE CONCERT, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fletcher Community Park, Fletcher. The band Dashboard Blue will perform. Attendees are asked to bring lawnchairs. Admission is free. DELBERT McCLINTON CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., The Foundation Performing Arts Center, Isothermal Community College, Spindale. Blues singer-songwriter Delbert McClinton, whose top hit was “Tell Me About It,” a 1992 duet hit with Tonya Tucker, will perform. Among McClinton’s many other hits was “Sandy Beaches.” For tickets, which are $24-$29 for adults and $6 for youth, call 286-9990.

Sunday, June 9

BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL, noon, amphitheater, Wayside Park, Stuart, Va. The 32nd annual Hot Fun in the Summertime Beach Music Festival will feature the Band of Oz, The Embers, Atlantic Groove, Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters and Coastal Cruz’rs. Gates open at 10 a.m. The show will go on — rain of shine. Coolers are welcome, but no glass of any kind is allowed. No pets are allowed. Overnight camping is available. For tickets, which are $35 at the gate and $30 in advance, visit www.stuartbeachmusic.com. PERFORMANCE, 4 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, downtown Asheville. Tenor Stephen Mark Brown, accompanied by pianist David Troy Franicis, will perform. For tickets which are $25 and $35, call 257-4530 or visit www.wtheatre.com. DARING DUOS CONCERT, 5 p.m., Altamont Theatre, 18 Church St., downtown Asheville. “Daring Duos” with Pan Harmonia will feature Elizabeth Gergel, cello; and Christian Aldrige, violin. For tickets, which are $12 in advance and $15 at the door (and $5 for students), visit www. pan-harmonia.org/shop.

Tuesday, June 11

WORKSHOP, 8:30-10:30 a.m., TSAChoice, Candler. Asheville Women in Technology will

The Kruger Brothers trio — brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger (left and right) and Joel Landsberg — will perform at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall in West Asheville at 9 p.m. June 12 and 13. host workshop titled “Role Models Matter. The event is free and open to the public. LIBERTARIAN MEETING, 7 p.m., 130 Miller St., Waynesville. The Haywood County Libertarian Party, which meets on the second Tuesday, meets for open discussion, with debate encouraged. All perspectives and persuasions are welcome, regardless of political or religious affiliation. For more information, call Windy McKinney at windymckinney@yahoo.com.

Wed., June 12

PETER, PAUL & MARY REVUE, 8 p.m., Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The FRP will present “A Tribute to the Music of Peter, Paul and Mary.” For tickets, which are $24, call 693-0731 or visit www.

flatrockplayhouse.org.

Thurs., June 13

BALSAM RANGE CONCERT, 7 p.m., Thomas Auditorium, Blue Ridge Community College, East Flat Rock. Balsam Range will perform. For tickets, which are $15, call 694-4747 or visit www. blueridge.edu/events.

Friday, June 14

MUSIC ON MAIN STREET, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The band Wishful Thinkin’ will perform during the annual Music on Main Street summer concert series.

See CALENDAR, Page 16

14 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 15

16 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

The band Dashboard Blue will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. June 21 at the Visitors Information Center in downtown Hendersonville.

Calendar Continued from Page 13

Friday, June 14

AIR SUPPLY CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. The Australian soft-rock band Air Supply will perform. For tickets, which are $35, $40 and $45, call 524-1598 or visit greatmountainmusic.com.

Sunday, June 16

BARBECUE/MUSIC FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Harmon Field, Tryon. The Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival will be held. Among the performers will be Donna the Buffalo, Velvet Truckstop and Big Daddy Love. Tickets are $8, with children under 12 admitted free.

Tuesday, June 18

SUMMER BREAKFAST SERIES, 8-9 a.m., Renaissance Asheville Hotel, downtown Asheville. Leadership Asheville’s Buzz 2013 summer breakfast series will being June 18 with a panel discussion of the city’s music business scene. The series will continue on July 24 and Aug. 14. Each event will be preceded by registration and a breakfast buffet, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Admission is $20 per breakfast, with a chance to win door and raffle prizes. The “We’ve ot the Music Business” panel will include Michael Adams, CEO of Moog Music; Sean O’Connell, CEO and founder of Music Allies and Creative Allies; Aaron Price, musician and producer; Jessica Tomasin, studio manager at Echo Mountain Recording Studio; and J. Patrick Whalen, owner of The Orange Peel. The moderator will be Jason Sandford, a staff writer and columnist for the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Thursday, June 20

AUTHOR LUNCHEON, 11 a.m., Country Club of Asheville, Asheville. Bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank will be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual author luncheon benefiting the Friends of Madison County Library. Frank is the author of “Sullivan’s Island,” “Porch Lights” and her forthcoming “The Last Original Wife,” due out this month. For tickets, which are $40 (including buffet lunch), call 649-3741. RHYTHM & BREWS CONCERT, 6-9 p.m., Azalea Lot, along King Street between 3rd and

4th avenues, downtown Hendersonville. Jason “Lefty” Williams will perform in the outdoor concert series. Williams has been described as, possibly, “the next link in the chain of legendary Georgia guitarists after Duane Allman and Robert Cray.” Admission is free. PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. Kellin Watson will perform folk, rock, pop and soul music. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and/or blankets. Admission is free.

Friday, June 21

DOWNTOWN AFTER 5, 5:15 p.m., North Lexington Avenue near the I-240 overpass, downtown Asheville. Eye Candy will open the monthly downtown street party, followed by featured performer Shonna Tucker and her band. Hailing from Athens, Ga., Tucker was formerly with the Drive-By Truckers. Her new band is billed as epitomizing “a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, with a healthy dose of soul and twang. MUSIC ON MAIN STREET, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The band Dashboard Blue will perform during the annual Music on Main Street summer concert series.

Thursday, June 27

PARK RHYTHMS CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., adjoining Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain. Mipson will perform “newgrass” music. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and/or blankets. Admission is free. MUSICAL, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. “Cinderella: A Magical Musical” will be performed. For tickets, which are $15 for adults and $10 for children, call 524-1598 or visit greatmountainmusic.com. “BIG BANG” SHOW, 8 p.m., Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, 125 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The FRP will present “The Big Bang” through July 14. The show is billed as a “frenetic piece of entertainment that is so long on shtick and historical hilarity.” Shows are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets, which are $35 for the general public, $33 for seniors and $25 for students, call 693-0731 or visit www. flatrockplayhouse.org.

Cinebarre unveils summer outdoor screenings Cinebarre recently announced the shows that will be screened in its free annual summer outdoor film series that starts with “Batman Begins” on June 4 outside its theater complex at Asheville’s Biltmore Square Mall. Seating for each outdoor screening begins at 8 p.m., with shows starting at dusk (around 9 p.m.) Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs and/or blankets. Other titles to be screened in the

series, include the following: • June 11 — “Iron Man” • June 18 — “Tropic Thunder” • July 2 — “Wayne’s World” • July 9 — “Bridesmaids” • July 16 — “Jaws” • July 23 — “Anchorman” • June 30 — “Top Gun” • Augu. 6 — “Coming to America” • Aug. 13 — “Kung Fu Panda” • Aug. 20 — “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”

Bassist Shonna Tucker (second from left), shown with her former band, The Drive-By Truckers, will perform at downtown Asheville’s Downtown After 5 street festival, which starts at 5:15 p.m. June 21. BALLET, 8 p.m., in Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, owntown Asheville. Terpichords Theatre of Dance will perform “Reborn.” For tickets which are $30 for the general public, $28 for seniors, $25 for students, $20 for ages 12-17 and $12 for children, call 257-4530 or visit www. dwtheatre.com.

Friday, June 28

MUSIC ON MAIN STREET, 7-9 p.m., parking lot next to Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. Asheville’s 96.5 Band will perform during the annual Music on Main Street summer concert series.

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 17

‘British Invasion’ band captures N.C. town

By JOHN NORTH

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com

FRANKLIN — A dreary night with rain pounding outside — uncannily reminiscent of the famed lead singer’s native Manchester, England — provided a highly riveting counterpoint to the explosive May 4 show of music, light and fun presented by Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone inside the cozy confines of the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts. The group performed a 90-minute show with no intermission before about 800 people. For at least another 30 minutes afterward, Noone, 65, patiently signed autographs, posed for photographs and chatted with fans who lined up to meet the pop music icon. Noone, the original lead singer at age 15 of the mid-1960s British Invasion group, showed that he still has an awesome voice that somehow retains a boyish enthusiasm and inflection. He also showed his polished entertainer skills and quick-witted sense of humor. Indeed, Noone often had the audience clapping and singing along — and laughing — all at the same time. An intriguing aspect of the show were the efforts to replicate the mid-1960s British Invasion group look (all except Noone were attired in matching black suits), vintage instruments and equipment, highkicking moves by the guitarists, cheek-tocheek singing into microphones and other eccentric choreography of the era — and Dave Ferrara, a showboating drummer who frequently twirled his drumsticks into the air while flipping his moptop of hair front, back and sideways, eliciting occasional squeals of delight from women in the audience. The keyboardist sported Woody Allen-style, heavy-framed black glasses that were popular in the era. Also, perhaps to keep his band on the toes, Noone did not perform from a traditional set list, but instead called out the songs as they came to mind — and the resulting effect struck me as more spontaneous and exciting. The so-called British Invasion of the United States was launched by The Beatles,

Daily Planet Staff Photos

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone brought back the era of the mid1960s during a May 4 concert at the SMCPA in Franklin. marked by the foursome’s appearance in are originals with Herman’s Hermits. February 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The band members, clad in attire of the By May 8, 1965, nine of the top 10 spots era, suddenly appeared on stage, adjusting on the weekly Hot 100’s Top 10 were held their instruments and looking out solemnly by British Invasion groups. The British at the crowd, providing a truly surreal middomination continued on the charts, but by 1960s effect, as the excited crowd arose to 1967 rock music style had spread worldits feet and began clapping out a rhythm. wide, ending the “invasion.” Over the sound system, a deep voice reBesides the aforementioned Beatles cited some of the group’s accomplishments, and Hermits, some other famous bands of including that in 1965 and 1966, Herman’s the era included The Rolling Stones, The Hermits rivaled The Beatles on the U.S. Kinks, The Who, The Hollies, The Dave charts and was the top-selling pop act in Clark Five, The Zombies, The Animals, the U.S. in 1965. The group registered 11 Gerry and the Pacemakers and The YardTop Ten hits in the U.S. from 1964 through birds. The British Invasion is credited in 1967, by which time they had sold 40 milsome circles with bringing the countercullion records worldwide. ture into the mainstream. It also influenced Also noted was that the group’s nomithe attire of youths around the world, bring- nation for two Grammy awards in 1965 ing a more mod styling into vogue. for “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Noone’s high-energy show in Franklin Daughter.” started exactly at the scheduled time and Finally, Herman’s Hermits was introended almost exactly 90 minutes later. Beduced as “one of the top three bands of the sides Noone out front, mostly just singing British Invasion.” (but occasionally playing rhythm guitar, As the crowd clapped appreciatively, too) were two guitarists, a keyboardist and Noone and his mates launched into the a drummer. Occasionally, one of the guitar- infectiously optimistic “I’m Into Something ists would play bass or some other instruGood” (which reached No. 1 on the U.K. ment. The musicians, who provided excepsingles chart and No. 13 in the U.S. in late tional backup vocal harmony for Noone 1964). included Vince Brescia, Billy Sullivan, The cheering never stopped as Herman’s Rich Spina and Ferrara. None of the quartet Hermits then jumped into “What a Wonder-

Aspiring pop star Colt Sherrill (left), 16, of Mount Olive chats with Herman’s Hermits original lead singer Peter Noone, as the latter signs autographs after a May 4 concert at the SMCPA in Franklin. Sherrill said he is writing new songs in the style of the mid-1960s British Invasion and plans to give it his best shot at bringing back that genre as he makes a leap into the Asheville music scene this summer.

ful World,” as a four-year-old girl danced merrily and waved a pair pompons in one of the aisles on the front row near the stage. Her parents and grandparents nearby grooved with the music. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, moms and dads, girls and boys” and, he said with a mock sob, “grandmothers and grandfathers.” The audience laughed. “When I was just a young boy growing up in Manchester, England, I dreamed of one day performing in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina,” Noone quipped. Through the years, he and his band have played many nightclubs and other humble venues “and now look where we are — a performing arts center!” Later in the show, he said, “I’d like to do my favorite Herman’s Hermits songs” — 1965’s “End of the World” — and “I’d like to dedicate it to” everyone in the audience and those who have followed the band loyally through the years. “End of the World” appeared to be the most vocally challenging song of the night — and Noone sang it immaculately. He also sang a verse of the song talk-style, with his hand touching his heart, for dramatic effect. “That was a No. 2,” Noone declared, with a note of sadness. “From now on, we’re only playing No. 1 Herman’s Hermits songs.” The group then finished the concert with sparkling renditions of “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat?” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and a 15-minute version (or so it seemed) of the finale, “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am.” Noone and his band received a standing ovation for their efforts from the crowd.

Young songwriter plans to bring new sounds of British Invasion to Asheville EDITOR’S NOTE: Among the younger attendees of the Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone concert May 4 in Franklin was Colt Sherill, a teenager who was on a field trip with the West Rowan High School Junior Classical League club. The following is the text of an email he sent to the Daily Planet, explaining his interest in Herman’s Hermits and his future aspirations. • “This was the second time the JCL club had seen Peter Noone live, the first was in High Point last time he performed in NC. “Our Latin teacher, Steve Daniel, who was in charge of taking us on the 3-hour trip to Franklin, was the one who first turned us on to Herman’s Hermits. During every test taken in Latin, he plays Herman’s Hermits and we have heard every song so many times that it is almost impossible to get the melodies out of your head...yet we never grow tired of the music. To give you an idea of how

successful our JCL program is, we have won the state convention 17 years in a row! “For me, I’ve been playing guitar and bass for about 3 years now. In the past I have been unsuccessful in putting a group together because many kids today are into heavier rock and aren’t very keen on playing music by groups such as Herman’s Hermits, The Beatles, Cream, The Rolling Stones etc. “I hope to put together a group and earn gigs in the Asheville area this summer because of it’s rich music scene and just have fun remaking the music that shocked the world in the ‘60s. In a way I feel as if it is my duty to promote this style of music and to expose the younger generations to it who have been corrupted by Hip-Hop and Heavy Metal. “I asked Peter Noone after the concert for any advice he could give to an aspiring musician and songwriter, and he told me that the key is persistance. That is the best advice I have ever received!

$2 Tuesdays

$2 domestic draft Wednesdays Breakfast Club-Brunch menu served until noon on Sundays before shows.

18 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Review

Daily Planet Staff Photo

James McCartney performs during a concert May 28 at the Altamont Theatre in downtown Asheville.

James McCartney excels on guitar in Asheville show

By JOHN NORTH

john@ashevilledailyplanet.com

The comparisons were inevitable when James McCartney, son of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, performed solo in concert for about an hour May 29 at the Altamont Theatre in downtown Asheville. In short, the younger McCartney does not have the strong singing voice of his father, but he is a mesmerizing, if eccentric, guitar-player, plays piano decently and writes some incredibly complex, lush and beautiful pop-rock songs. In contrast to his father’s generally happier sound and style, James McCartney, who struck me as highly sensitive, tended not to smile much ... and to express some kind of existential angst — and at times wistfulness or even bitterness — through his singing. A full house of more than 125 people savored the show that featured the only son of Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney. Of course, James’ father has gone on to a long and successful musical career after the breakup of the Fab Four. The Asheville show was part of his 47-date, 27-state musical tour, which began April 7 in Portland, Ore., and will end June 16 in Nashville, Tenn. James McCartney, 35, shifted throughout the concert among an electric guitar, acoustic guitar and piano. He was clad in a black shirt and jeans. While his father was famous — and sometimes castigated by critics — for writing “silly love songs,” James McCartney writes about more esoteric subjects, as exemplified in song titles such as “Life’s a Pill,” “Butterfly,” “Wisteria,” “Snow,” and “Wings of a Lightest Weight.” After performing the lovely song “Angel,” a man in the audience yelled out, “Awesome!” Not missing a beat, McCartney replied, “Thank you. You’re awesome, too, even though I don’t know you.” The audience laughed at the good-natured reparte. His best songs were a cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man,” which seemed to be perfect for his somewhat wavery voice, and “Strong As You Are,” an original from his current CD. The latter also was his last song before returning for an encore requested by the cheering crowd. In the encore, he san “My Friend,” “New York Times” and probably his third-best songs of the night, “Thinking About Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Interestingly, James McCartney did not perform any songs by his father after he left The Beatles or by The Beatles. When asked by the Daily Planet why the younger McCartney did not play anything by his father or The Beatles, his manager said it is because the artist who was on stage is James McCartney — and not a Beatle or an ex-Beatle. After the concert, McCartney, ever striving to be his own man despite the comparisons, seemed to be focusing only on the moment as he signed autographs and chatted amiably with fans.

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013— 19

Faith Notes

Mountain Spirit Coffee House, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Live music will be featured. Doors open at 6 p.m. For tickets, visit www.uuasheville.org and click Mountain Spirit icon.

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Wednesday, June 12

Saturday, June 1

RUMMAGE SALE, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. GEC will hold a rummage sale. BARBECUE MEAL, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Acton United Methodist Church, 171 Sand Hill School Rd., Asheville. The annual Community Barbecue Meal will be hosted by the Hominy Valley United Methodist Men. The meal will include slow-cooked pork barbecue, coleslaw, baked beans and a beverage for $8, with eat-in or take-out offered. Proceeds will benefit the AshevilleBuncombe Community Christian Ministry West and other Hominy Valley UMM Projects. LIVING WATER ANNIVERSARY, 4 p.m., Pine Grove Baptist Church, 11 Pine Grove Ave., Asheville. The 11th annivesary of the church and Pastor Luella Whitmire will be held. The celebration also will be held at 10 a.m. June 2 at Living Water Ministry, 23 College Place, Asheville. GOSPEL MUSIC PROGRAM, 7 p.m., Refuge Baptist Church, 27 Oleta Rd., Hendersonville. The annual “Gospel Music Through the Years” program will feature old-time Southern gospel convention singing, instrumentalists and groups.

Sunday, June 2

HOMECOMING, 10 a.m., Coopers Gap Baptist Church, Mill Spring. The Land of the Sky Boys will perform during the church’s homecoming service. HOMECOMING, 11 a.m., Ridgeway Baptist Church, 525 Old U.S. 19/23, Candler. Dr. Matt Queen will be the speaker at RBC’s homecoming. A covered dish will follow the service. GRADS SERVICE, 11:15 a.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave., W., Hendersonville. GLC will recognize its high school graduate at its contemporary service. Each receiving a handmade quilt from the church will be graduating seniors from East Henderson, North Henderson and Hendersonville high schools and Henerson County students from the N.C. School of Math and Science. DRUG FORUM, 6 p.m., Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 133 Old Clyde Rd., Waynesville. The church will host a forum titled “Drugs in Our Midst. The presentation will include a welcome from Jean Parris, program coordinator. Speakers will include Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed, Haywood Sheriff Greg Christopher and Sheriff’s Department representatives Mark Meason and Heidi Warren.

Monday, June 3

TAI CHI CLASS, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A 12-week class titled “Easy Tai Chi for Improved Balance” will be led by Jana Weed, beginning June 3. Admission is $60 per person for the entire series. For more information or to sign up, call Weed at 329-9022 or Unity at 897-8100 or email janae-

Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj weed@hotmail.com.

Tuesday, June 4

PUB CHAT, 6 p.m., Mezzaluna restaurant, 226 N. Main St., downtown Hendersonville. The Unity Center in Mills River will hold “Truth on Tap,” a pub chat with the Rev. Chad O’Shea on matters spiritual and otherwise. A love offering will be taken. OPEN DISCUSSION, 6 p.m. Christian Science Reading Room, 2 Wall St., downtown Asheville. An open discussion on practical spiritual healing and practice also will include selected readings.

Friday, June 7

WOMANSONG CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Womansong, a popular community chorus of 70 women in the Asheville area, will perform in concert on June 7 and 8. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. For advance tickets, call Unity at 897-8100. CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Oakley United Methodist Church, Fairview Road, Asheville. Charles Pettee and FolkPsalm will perform in a concert of bluegrass and new acoustic music, including Pettee’s settings for various Old Testament psalms. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

PEACEMAKING POTLUCK/DISCUSSION, 6 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The Peacemaking Group has been meeting monthly since 2008 to share a meal and spend time learning about peacemaking efforts — global, local, and personal. Discussions are centered around material provided by the UUA, readings, videos as well as personal experience and ideas. Anyone may attend. UNDERSTANDING MEN PROGRAM, 7-9 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A program on “Understanding Men,” open only to women, will be led by Terri Crosby. The program is billed as “two hours to more clarity, joy and freedom.” What’s more, Crosby said of her program, “It is my belief that both men and women have it right. Nobody is wrong. Nobody is misbehaving. And nobody needs to live in the doghouse or walk on eggshells -- that’s no fun and nobody wins. Every “problem” you have can bring you closer. You can learn to struggle less and play more! If you have ever been mystified, upset, angry, dumfounded, exasperated, or confused by the opposite sex, this seminar is for you.” A love offering (suggested at $20) will be taken.

Thursday, June 13

MENTAL ILLNESS PROGRAM, 7 p.m., Mills River Presbyterian Church, 10 Presbyterian Church Rd., Mills River. The MRPC will present Bridges of Hope. The educational session addresses how to help individuals with a mental illness and their families. Presented by local representatives of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the program provides an overview of mental illness, how it impacts individuals, families and communities and the role of the faith community. Admission is free.

Friday, June 14

SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM, 7 p.m., Sanford Hall, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The monthly Social Justice Movie NIght will screen a film, followed by a discussion.

Sunday, June 16

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE, 6 p.m., Avery’s Creek United Methodist Church, corner of Brevard and Glen Bridge roads, Arden. A monthly felllowship dinner and service for special needs program will be held. All are welcome, regardless of ability top participate.

Wednesday, June 19

ENNEAGRAM WORKSHOP, 7-9 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. The Rev. Pat Veenema will lead a three-week class in “Introduction to the Enneagram.” The other sessions will be held June 26 and July 3.

Thursday, June 20

INTERFAITH BOOK TALK, 5:30-7 p.m., Grateful Steps Bookstore, 159 S. Lexington Ave., downtown Asheville. The monthly interfaith book talk will focus on local writers.

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Sunday, June 9

MEDITATION WITH A MASTER, 4-7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A program titled “Meditate with an Indian Master” will feature Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj. The program will begin with about an hour of meditation, followed by about 45 minutes of singing and then some individual questions. Attendees are invited to stay for as much of the event as they need. Unity noted that “Sri Shivabalayogi, lovingly called Swamiji, is a true Yogi whose mission is to bring people of all faiths into meditation. His blessings serve to elevate our consciousness and deepen whatever spiritual path we have undertaken.” Admission is free.

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20 — June 2013 — Asheville Daily Planet

Kristen Hipps (in blue top) and her mother Traci Dutoi (in black top to her left) were among the dozens of people who participated in Zumba in Da Club, organized by a team of local Zumba instructors, on May 17 at Scandals nightclub at 11 Grove St. in

Special photos by R. Michael Reid

downtown Asheville. The dances are held on the first and third Friday of each month. “The purpose is to build strong relationships between instructors and to offer a larger space for the community,” according to Christine Johnson, a Zumba leader.

Zumba!

Jen Jameson appears to be enjoying herself as she performs a Zumba dance.

Latin-inspired dance party scores a hit in Asheville

Angela Arellano smiles as she leads the group in a challenging routine.

Alan Malpass, sporting a kilt, leads the enthusiatic crowd during a number of songs.

Christine Johnson, owner-manager of Christine’s Cardio Fitness, shows off some nimble moves.

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 21

22 — June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Daily Planet’s Opinion

City schools’ idiocracy? Given that budgets are tight and taxpayers are struggling in a still-shaky economy, it is absolutely outrageous that the Asheville Board of Education recently awarded a $175,000 payment as a retirement gift for Superintendent Allen Johnson. He is only 54 years old. The action is so idiotic it could provide material for a sequel to the 2006 sciencefiction comedy film “Idiocracy.” Talk about truth sometimes being stranger than fiction.... Lest we be misconstrued, we are not making any judgment here on what kind of job Johnson has done. That is irrelevant in this discussion. Board Chairwoman Jacquelyn Hallum

noted in a statement on Johnson’s departure that the board voted unanimously for the buyout of the superintendent’s contract, which ends June 30, 2016. She stressed that it was a mutual decision with Johnson, with “retirement” being his description of his future plans. In a time when teachers are spending money from their own pockets to help supply their students, City Council needs to more carefully consider its appointments of Board of Education members. We urge Johnson to return this “milk money” to the school system for the benefit of the students — and we would urge the resignation of the entire reckless Asheville Board of Education.

The Charlotte Hornets — and an enemy general everywhere CHAPEL HILL — What enemy general who fought in North Carolina is most memorialized here? Here is a hint. The Charlotte pro basketball team is taking back the Hornets name. One reason they are taking back that name is because the old Charlotte Hornets sports gear is still selling all over the world. It is in fact one of the most popular NBA brands long after original owner George Shinn moved the team to New Orleans. Why has this defunct brand been so popular? At the beginning the Charlotte Hornets had an appealing story. It was North Carolina’s first major league sports team, with amazing attendance and plucky teams that played above their potential. But that was in the past. Folks in Chapel Hill argue that their own Alexander Julian’s colors and design of the uniforms is the secret of their continuing popularity. I like to think that the Hornet name itself had a lot to do with it, in part, because it was an insect. Such little creatures, even those with big stingers, are rarely used for athletic teams, although some college teams like the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have big fan followings. But Charlotte was the first modern major league pro team with a stinging insect mascot, and it set the team apart. History probably played the most important role in the attachment the local community holds to the Hornets name. Here is where the hint about the foreign general comes in. During the American Revolution, British troops occupied the village of Charlotte for a short time. The patriot militia and general population harassed the occupiers so effectively that the British commander tagged Charlotte and the surrounding area “a damned hornet’s nest of rebellion.” Ever since, Mecklenburg people have been proud to be called hornets and have their county identified as a hornets’ nest. Check the seals, flags, and symbols of Charlotte and Mecklenburg and you will usually find a hornets’ nest somewhere in the design. Miss Leticia Currie, our wonderful teacher at Davidson Junior High, loved local history. Every day she read a chapter of a favorite book. If a student brought a real hornets’ nest to school, she read an extra chapter that day after she

D.G. Martin proudly displayed the nest on the classroom wall and gave us a short lecture on our proud heritage. The British commander who came up with “damned hornet’s nest of rebellion” designation was Lord Cornwallis, who is my nominee for most memorialized enemy general. In 1780, after occupying Charlotte and Hillsborough, he fought a critical battle at Guilford Court House, and then marched to Wilmington to lick his wounds and prepare for the march to Yorktown, where he surrendered in 1781. Cornwallis traveled across more of North Carolina than many of us who have lived in the state for years. Up in Hillsborough, they remember Cornwallis’s brief occupation in their town’s histories, and there is a residential community named “Cornwallis Hills.” There is Cornwallis Avenue in Gastonia; Cornwallis Streets in Garner, Pittsboro, and Winston Salem; Cornwallis Roads in Riegelwood and Rose Hill; Cornwallis Lane in Charlotte; Cornwallis Drives in Mocksville and Greensboro; and of course, the long Cornwallis Road that runs from just north of Chapel Hill, across Durham and then through the Research Triangle Park. Surely some of the thousands of commuters who see his name every day wonder why we so prominently honor a general whose invasion caused North Carolinians such great suffering. Perhaps it is to remember the strong resistance that General Cornwallis encountered from patriotic North Carolinians across our state. Or maybe it’s just in gratitude for giving us that Hornets nickname, one that after 225 years, is still worth fighting for. • D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina Bookwatch,” which airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV.

Letters to the Editor

City mayor termed wrong in opposing toplessness

According to John Boyle’s May 18th column (in the Asheville Citizen-Times) about top-free women in public, Mayor (Terry) Bellamy was quoted as saying, “It’s an economic development issue and a tourism issue.” Mayor Bellamy, is that what you are going to tell the Office of Civil Rights and or other federal judges? Watch the IRS hearings and picture yourself being questioned about your pursuit of passing unconstitutional criminal ordinances that discriminate based on gender. They will not even let you discuss economic

development and tourism. Mayor Bellamy, it is amazing you can be so wrong for such a prolonged period of time. This issue is about equality. It is about the Constitution of The United States and the Constitution of North Carolina. It is about free speech and female autonomy. Your willful ignorance will back-fire on you. Jeff Johnson Huntsville, Ala. EDITOR’S NOTE: Johnson, who was the organizer of a topless rally in downtown Asheville last summer, listed himself as a “civil rights advocate” under his name on this letter to the editor. See LETTERS, Page 25

The Candid Conservative

Our destructive drug culture

Our nation’s addicts, drug culturists, and marijuana enthusiasts are growing and so are their harms. Twenty years ago who would have imagined a day when most every community in America would hold a cell of users, dealers, and enablers busily recruiting more human prey. Where there is violence, child abuse, poverty and personal disintegration, intoxicants are at the scene. No matter what you hear, a very small percentage of drug addicts are authentically rehabilitated and our court and enforcement system is amazingly inconsistent, weak and unrealistic. No one was ever uplifted to a better place through drug addiction, and yet we continue to tolerate this widespread form of domestic terrorism. Defeating the harms begins and ends at the same place – new recruits. We make it easy on drug predators to ensnare our young and naive. Legalization is a fantasy – today’s drugs, and that includes marijuana, are simply too powerful. Remember, addicts don’t just go into the woods and quietly fade away they become burdens to their families and communities. Whether the drug of choice is legal or not, new recruits become addicts and addicts become predators who, in turn, recruit others to their circle of despair. Asheville’s permissive drug culture is selfish and self-destructive – anything but loving and progressive. On being clever Two events are standouts in the life of my generation. Sorry Asheville, it wouldn’t be the election of Barrack Obama or the invention of hydroponic marijuana. Those events were Vietnam and the invention of the Internet. The first bit of craziness curiously birthed the liberal-progressive movement. The legitimate rejection of political adventurism masquerading as protecting America morphed into a broader movement. Somewhere along the way the visionary wonder of the American Dream was rejected and feeling good became more important than doing good. That happens eventually to all societies – usually just before they get wiped out by someone smarter, stronger and more in tune with reality. The invention of the Internet put the world’s knowledge base right in our own little hands. That’s been an extraordinary opportunity, but access to knowledge isn’t a guarantee one knows how to use it. Opinions abound in 21st century America. While we’re running around celebrating how clever we are, reality is sneaking up to remind us of how clever we aren’t. Consumption is consuming us Though government officials continue to do their best to stimulate America’s consumers, our future rests firmly in the hands of America’s producers. Any country not

Carl Mumpower busy making something useful is getting lost in our growing world. What we need to produce can include goods, food, ideas, or services, but it’s necessary we do it faster, cheaper, and better to stay on top. That’s OK, in that nature has always been set-up to push us toward being better. Don’t believe for a minute the concept of survival of the fittest is no longer running the planet. One problem in America today is we like consuming more than producing. Curiously, our timing is terrible. We’re busy abandoning our traditional competitive free market thinking for the something for nothing promises of socialism. It’s a fascinating world that has Cuba’s Fidel Castro criticizing socialism, Chinese communists becoming paragons of capitalism, and Americans buying into the something for nothing deceptions of liberal-socialistprogressivism. Our children’s economic future rests on getting back to what we have historically done well – not what everyone else has historically done badly. White people should be afraid? For a glimpse into the mind of a professional racist, take a look at commentator Tim Wise. Mr. Wise is the guy who enjoys telling America’s white majority, what he calls the “Regressive White Right,” to be afraid. Isn’t it interesting that almost anytime someone is playing the race card, it’s a “love your fellow man” liberal? It seems that racist dialog is useful to (1) stimulate white guilt (2) secure the loyalties of minorities or (3) shut down honest conversation with an overused trump card. How about a little racial reality check - those who keep pointing to color may be doing more to fan the flames of racial divide than those few souls still dumb enough to judge people by color. Most of what the average person dislikes in others has to do with their fellowman’s choices, character, and cultural model – not color. Anyone who assesses a person by color is a fool - anyone who fails to assess a person by their choices, character, and cultural model - likewise. The minds of Mr. Wise and too many habituated liberals seems to be stuck in replay mode. It’s past time to move beyond this tired and paralyzing thinking. Our society’s real racists are those who keep fanning color pain for personal gain. See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page 25

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013— 23

On the left

Be prepared to be AMAZED

There’s a movement spreading across the world, hopscotching from one forwardlooking city to the next, that will fundamentally shift the way we all use energy, the way we think about energy and the likelihood that modern society will survive through the next fifty years. That’s no small matter, particularly to those of us who are under age 30. The fundamental problem we are facing today involves population. There are too many humans on earth and that is unlikely to change during this century, absent either a serious breakdown in public health (perhaps due to some new or newly morphed disease organism) or due to nuclear war. Neither would be pretty. But it isn’t just the absolute number of people that presents a problem. It’s the combination of basic needs for food and water, and the general desire for a reasonable level of comfort that will make for some very rough sledding. Fresh, clean water is already in short supply in much of the world, and water is a key ingredient in agriculture. So food availability is becoming increasingly tenuous for many populations. Food shortages and resultant high prices were one of the main triggers of the Arab Spring that shook or collapsed governments in recent years. Malnutrition and absolute starvation threaten about 1 billion humans just now, one in seven of our fellow earthlings. So the basics are already in trouble. But what we in the United States tend to think of as normal life involves a whole lot more than food and water. We expect

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Way beyond hip and trendy Asheville Daily Planet

Cecil Bothwell electric and other forms of power to be at our fingertips. We assume we’ll have lights at night, electronic media, cooking and refrigeration, temperature control in our living quarters and work places, entertainment venues, restaurants, affordable clothing and tools, personal or public vehicles to get us where we need to go — all of this and more. All of this depending, of course, on one’s level of wealth. But still there is a certain expectation of access to the basics, and our basics go way beyond the 19 personal items owned by a typical !Kung Bushman. most of which are simple tools for the gathering of food. All of the energy needed to produce our modern lifestyle has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere has been from fossil fuels—petrochemicals including oil and natural gas for vehicles and heating systems, and mostly coal for electricity (with some natural gas, some hydro, some nuclear, a little wind and a tiny amount of solar in the mix). A looming shortfall of oil looked poised to curb our use, but then came hydraulic fracturing (fracking) which has permitted extraction of a whole lot more oil and gas than was previously accessible. The gas boom is encouraging electrical power companies to switch

from coal, which is good from a pollution standpoint, since gas burns cleaner. But markets being what they are, the American gas boom has resulted in a sharp rise in coal exports, so the stuff is being burned elsewhere, and mountaintop removal here is now fueling generators in Europe. The problem with burning of anything is the buildup of greenhouse gases that are now estimated to push world temperatures up several degrees by the end of this century. That is the real and mortal threat of population growth. Vast areas of agricultural land will dry up. Sea levels will rise to flood some of the most densely populated places on earth. Tropical insects carrying some very nasty diseases will move north. Unless we find a way to use energy more wisely it will only get worse. That’s where AMAZED comes in: the Asheville Metro Area Zero Energy District. ZEDs are popping up around the world in communities that have adopted a goal of generating as much power as they use each year. Can it be done? Perhaps not, but we can learn to use a whole lot less and still live modern, successful, comfortable lives. The first AMAZED community meeting was held May 30, I’ll have more to tell you about the idea and how you can participate in my July column. Stay tuned! You’ll be AMAZED! • Cecil Bothwell is author of eight books, including “Whale Falls: An Exploration of Belief and Its Consequences,” and a member of Asheville City Council.

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3 years and…

WE STILL SUCK! In three years, Vanuatu Kava Bar has not been voted “Best of WNC” in any contest, in any category. We are the only kava bar here, it is all we know how to be, and we don’t really fit any categories. Even if there was a “kava bar” category in contests, we would likely come in 3rd at best, as we’re probably not trying hard enough. (Did we mention we are the ONLY kava bar?) That said, we ask that you do not vote us into an inappropriate category on our behalf in the current “Best Of WNC” contest. (Or into all the categories.) Even the new ones. We know other businesses deserve them more – businesses the editors of that paper may specifically have in mind when they create the categories. We also ask you not to tell people we are giving away 3 kilos (300 servings.!) of FREE KAVA on our 3rd anniversary, June 9th beginning at 4pm, as it is an outrageous (some might even say “desperate” and unprofitable business practice. Thank you for your time, and thanks in advance to the Daily Planet for the upcoming news coverage that will undoubtedly result from this ad purchase.

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24 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Commentary

Republicans (finally) do something good Mike Rowe made a whole bunch of money with his TV show “Dirty Jobs” and as spokesman in Ford commercials. The show’s canceled, and now he’s focusing on something he really has a heart for: raising the status of working people. Specifically he wants to see millions more people trained in skilled trades, to claim the THREE MILLION jobs now going unfilled because there aren’t enough welders, electricians and the like. He testified before a Senate committee to push for infrastructure spending that would open up even more jobs. My hero. Now let’s look at the attitude of one of my old clients. I had signed on to rename a financial services company. In my interview with the CEO, he said he’d like me to interview some employees. I said I could gather a group in the company cafeteria. He snorted: “I said employees, not Indians!” Not Indians. I didn’t ─ and still don’t ─ understand his “Indians” metaphor, but his attitude was clear: ordinary working people are unimportant, interchangeable, disposable. I did the naming project, but under protest in my mind. Of these two, Mike Rowe is right, and my client was wrong. Right? Yes, right. Not theologically ─ that everybody’s equal in God’s eyes. We all know that’s true. And I don’t mean politically ─ that everybody should have the same chance in life. No, I’m speaking professionally. It’s a simple matter of RESPECT. Everybody should be respected for WHAT THEY DO, if they’re faithful in their profession. Some of the smartest people I’ve ever known had very little education. They know how to solve problems, figure things out. I’ve had assistants who, with no training, had incredible insight into people and business strategy. I’ve hired small-project building contractors who could face a problem they’d never seen before and bing! they’d devised something entirely new and wonderful, even doing calculations in their heads. I’m in awe of people who restore cars and other things. It’s possible that the smartest man in WNC might be riding on a utility truck. By contrast, some highly paid colleagues over the years knew nothing but the narrow slice they’d learned in college and repeated over and over. And they get the big bonuses ─ and, yes, the prestige.

Lee Ballard Mike Rowe thinks people aren’t being trained in blue-collar trades because the work isn’t glamorous. It’s like a self-image thing. People see their work as their identity, and they don’t want to be a plumber. I don’t know whether Mike’s idea is true or not, but I do know that a four-year college education isn’t for everybody. I say, as Mike Rowe does, that more young people should seek out careers in skilled trades ─ and hopefully get the prestige they deserve from society. That brings us to community colleges and their intense effort nowadays to offer training in high-demand occupations. It’s a fabulous vision for our day. Our daughter completed the medical lab tech course at A-B Tech and has a terrific job, at several times minimum wage and with high job satisfaction. Now…what I’m going to say next will shock and astound anybody who reads this column regularly. Here it is: The Republican budget for 2013 does something really good. It adds $32 million over two years for vocational and technical training, just the skills Mike Rowe wants to see people pursue. They’re pressing community colleges to expand programs and make money available so more people can get this valuable training. The budget stinks to high heaven in many other areas, but in this area, (cough, wheeze) they’re dead center. May Republicans see the good of this program and do more for ordinary working people. • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.

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Candid Conservative Continued from Page 22

Consequence over restriction serves U.S. best

Few things reveal the disingenuous mission of the new age liberal movement more than the patterned exchange of liberties for control. The resulting restrictions on the creativity, opportunity, and potentials of the individual and our culture at large are extraordinary. It is comparatively easy to institute rules and laws. Execution and enforcement are another matter. The first mission is based in fantasy and the illusions of power, while the other finds traction in reality and the responsibilities of power. One seeks to create order without accountability and the other seeks accountability as a foundation for order. In today’s liberalized America, we have lots of signs to guide behavior on our highways, but neither the will nor the manpower to reliably enforce those signs. Cities pass laws restricting firearm liberties for responsible citizens at the same time they maintain a revolving door for criminals at liberty to abuse the property and persons of those citizens. Regulations are passed by the ton to manage the behavior of energy and finance companies, yet patterned abuses are given a conspiratorial wink by PAC-fed politicians and lackey regulators fattened by the spoils. In the author’s hometown a crack dealer must be caught and convicted three times before he or she receives meaningful jail time. Inconsistent enforcement efforts and the lack of alternative sentencing resources insure a never-ending parade of young men corrupted into becoming career criminals before accountability is responsibly applied. A pattern that is pervasive through our culture is thus revealed – though rules, regulations, and laws exist with a depth and breadth unprecedented in history – a misguided emphasis on restriction over consequence guarantees social failure. One mission of the true conservative is to sidestep those who confuse permissive-

ness with compassion. Handing responsible citizens a heavy regulatory burden as you minimize accountability for those who abuse the culture is social cowardice – not compassion. Passing new laws without matching enthusiasm for enforcement is like dropping bombs from 30,000 feet and rationalizing the consequences because you don’t observe the impact. The best way to contain the frivolity of those who enjoy making rules, regulations, and laws is to make sure they are required to fund and embrace the responsibility of enforcing their creations…

Special interests trumping our common interests

The federal government has a demonstrated inability to solve almost any problem on a timely, cost efficient, and realistic basis. One major reason for this paralysis centers on the confusing competition for resources by special interest groups. From a positive perspective, a special interest is any organized effort to raise awareness on issues of magnitude – at least in the minds of the organizers. Making our leadership smarter is a good thing and the best special interest groups seek to inform as a primary agenda. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, stopping the train at the information station is difficult. Over time most special interest groups transition into attempts to control and manipulate a desired outcome. Our common interests, and other special interest competitors, get pushed aside for selfish interests. Special interest lobbyists are some of the most corruptive influences on Capitol Hill. Almost always attractive, smart, and polished emissaries, these professionals are dedicated to reaching into America’s pockets for money and power. Special interest groups are not usually intentionally seeking to harm the American way of life. In fact, some of the more harmful groups represent mainstream citizens – including teachers, physicians, veterans,

Letters to the Editor Continued from Page 22

Circumstances of arrest? Fighting for justice in N.C.

Last week (in mid-May), I drove to Raleigh for the express purpose of being arrested. You might call it premeditated civil disobedience. I had never been arrested before, but I was ready for it. Five years ago, our broken health care system took my son’s life. We as a nation moved forward a bit with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in March of 2010, but my state is fighting the expansion of access to health care, leaving some 500,000 people at risk of the same horrible death my child suffered. I can’t sit still for that. Expanding access to health care is my mission in life since my son died, but other issues touch my heart as well. I believe that anyone who works a full-time job should make enough to pay basic living expenses. If you work a 40-hour week, you shouldn’t need government assistance. But this state’s General Assembly has done worse than not support a living wage; it has decimated the safety net that helps people who, through no fault of their own, need help. I deal with people in poverty every day, people who can’t get the health care they need, who live in unsafe housing, if they have a home at all. I deal with people who

work three part-time jobs because they can’t find full-time employment. These are not lazy people; they work hard and they deserve better. I have tried to talk to legislators, but it’s like talking to a brick wall, although I get more of a sense of warmth from the brick wall. Many of the legislators who are taking this state backward in time call themselves Christian, but I wonder what Christ would think of their actions. My conscience and my faith have called me to action. I went to Raleigh and I went into the Legislature Building – a place my taxes pay for and a place the State Constitution says I have a right to be – and I was arrested and charged with second-degree trespass and “chanting and loud singing.” We did sing. We sang hymns of freedom, and we continued to sing them all the way to the jailhouse and as we were processed through. We continue to sing. Every Monday, more of us will be arrested as we fight for justice for the least among us, just as we all are called to do. Leslie Boyd Candler EDITOR’S NOTE: Leslie Boyd is a former newspaper reporter and currently president of WNC Health Advocates. E-mail her at leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org.

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 25

businessmen, and the elderly. These predatory bodies exploit Capitol Hill and thus the rest of us behind the bright banners of the National Education Association, the American Medical Association, the Military Officers Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association for Retired Persons. The expansion of government into an “all things to all people” fantasy feeds an increasingly intense power struggle for increasingly limited resources. The common interests are trampled in this rush to the table and the priority of “we” is losing out to the greed of “me”. We will not secure America’s future by slicing up its resources for select special interests. The conservative thinker can help reverse this trend by speaking up to tame the appetites of these organizations and giving membership careful consideration. “What’s in it for me” is not a healthy foundation for anyone’s interests…

Taking care of the thing taking care of us

.Planets are like bodies – we only get one. On that basis it makes good sense to take care of what we have. Contrary to political legend, the environment is not a matter of discussion reserved for liberals who fly jets as they ask the rest of us to embrace mopeds. When it comes to protecting our world, the separation between progressive socialists and conservatives has more to do with the “how” than the “if.” Liberals have a tendency to build cults around social issues and are thus vulnerable to the corruptions of “ends justify the means thinking.” On that basis, under their touch the 4 R’s, reality, reason, responsibility, and right – along with our economy and quality of life – are at direct risk. Man made global warming advocates

model environmental extremism by employing methods familiar to a used car dealer unloading a lemon on a teenager. Using the same technology that can’t predict the climate three days from now, disaster junkies cuddle selective truths. They also ignore the reality that most of us are not teenagers. There is a point where the doom and gloom of environmental extremism does intersect the course of reason – that being the need for a “Made in America” energy policy. The damage we are inflicting on our planet with our lack of sound energy strategy may or may not be real or permanent. We can however be sure that our lack of energy coherence is undermining our economy and security as we are uplifting despots and enemies. The conservative version of environmental enthusiasm centers on good science supporting sound policies enforced honestly. An unreasoned rush to address man’s part in global warming can result in a lot of cold, hungry, immobile and impoverished people. The adage “if you break it – you fix it” comes to mind as proper environmental policy. Accountability for harming the environment is appropriate, as is a rational consideration of our environmental footprint. Reward and punishment works with environmental issues like anything else. Reason and truth should guide policy – not politics and personal preference. Consideration for our environment makes sense and thus is a conservative priority. Especially when it is coupled with efforts to create jobs and harness resources in the USA – home of the brave and land of the free, mobile, warm, and employed… * Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@thecandidconservative.com.

26 - June 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

The audacity of grope

My friend’s girlfriend hits on me all the time. (We’re all lesbians.) She always offers to get me a drink before she gets her girlfriend one, and she’s taken to giving me quick shoulder rubs and stomach pokes. The other night was really bad. A bunch of us were seated around a big table, and after I said something that made her laugh, she slapped my thigh and left her hand there a long time and started rubbing it. She was drunk, but still. I moved my chair over and ignored her for the rest of the night. My friend seems oblivious, and I’ve contemplated telling her, but I suspect she’d be terribly embarrassed. So, what am I supposed to do, just not have a social life? — Fondled Going out with your friends shouldn’t remind you of the last time you were bodysearched at the airport, save for how the airport groperlady probably looked like she wanted to get it over with fast, not like she wanted to lick your tattoo. You, like many people, get so caught up in being irritated at somebody’s behavior that you forget that you never asked the person to stop. You did try other means of communication, but unless you’ve had success moving dishes to the sink with your thoughts and then getting whoever’s dining with you to wash them, you should probably consider telepathy a bust. And sure, persistent pained looks could suggest that you are very much not up for a drink and a thigh rub — or that you forgot to eat your Activia again. Having held in your feelings for so long, it’s easy to explode and blurt out “You need to stop hitting on me!” or, referencing the woman she’s publicly disrespecting, “Touch base with the fact you have a girlfriend instead of my inner thigh!” With either statement, you’re accusing and criticizing her — and rightfully so. The problem is, as psychotherapist Dr. Carl Alasko wisely points out in “Beyond Blame,” criticizing a person leads to anger, denial, and defensiveness, not change. To get Miss Wanderhands to listen instead of blowing up, remain calm and use passive language that focuses on the action you want changed and your feelings about it, for example, “This level of touchy-feeliness makes me very uncomfortable.” This tells her “The petting zoo is closed” as opposed to “You’re a bad person!” (which, by the way, she is). If she persists or makes some unwanted confession, you can be more direct: “Look, I’m not interested. Please stop.” As for your friend, keep in mind that she may not be ready to see what’s going on, as this would require her to take some sort of action she may not be ready to take. Until she becomes ready, her girlfriend will remain a kind and generous person, buying beer for a thirsty woman much in the way she might reach out to a homeless man: “Can I brush past your breast while getting you a sandwich?”

Is there an ‘eco’ in here?

I’m a pretty green gal. I ride my bike to work, grow vegetables, compost, use reusable bags, containers and cloths, only eat sustainable foods. You get the picture. My boyfriend of six months is a wonderful, kind soul who recycles his cans, but that’s the extent of his eco-friendliness. He seems a little overwhelmed and uninterested when I tell him how easy and important going green really is. How can I motivate him to change without seeming like a bossy solicitor banging on his door? — Small Carbon Footprint Like many people in the early stages of a relationship, you have some questions about

The Advice Goddess

Amy Alkon

your partner, like how you can get him to stop using so many squares of toilet paper. On a positive note, you don’t mention anything about his following the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on Twitter to see whether any of the litter he tossed in the ocean made its way there. That said, if your immediate world will be a dark and horrible place if the man in your life refuses to rinse and reuse his aluminum foil, you may be with the wrong man. Otherwise, the question is, do you want to be in a relationship or a two-person political movement? If it’s a relationship you want, forget trying to lecture him into changing (which tends to create rebels, not converts), and accept that you may be able to influence him. You do that simply by being who you are, doing what you do, and being passionate about it — and all the better if you do all of that while wearing the hottest in hemp lingerie. Who knows, you two lovebirds could soon find yourselves enjoying the first few of a lifetime of romantic nights dining in the garden — chewing on plants to avoid dirtying dishes and increasing your collective carbon footprint.

I sing the buddy electric

When I got a boyfriend six months ago, I became a lot less available to my best friend. I knew she was disappointed, but she took it in stride and even claimed to understand. I’m bagging a lot of guilt now because I call her the most when I’m having trouble with my boyfriend. — Bad Friend It isn’t like you’ve stopped sharing your life with her — not if you count all those times your butt-dialed her number and left a muffled five-minute message on her voicemail. Assuming your friend isn’t just a doormat, she’s been a good friend by not getting all miffy that you’ve been preoccupied. Your friendship probably can’t take up as much of your lifespace as it did before, but you can recommit to it by making time for her regularly with phone, Skype, and coffee dates. You might also try an idea from “Friendfluence” author Carlin Flora — celebrating the success of a long-term friendship as you would a romantic relationship and treating your friend to dinner and reminiscing about how you met and the great times you’ve had. (Think of it as your “friendiversary.”) This should help you avoid undervaluing your friendship, which is important, in case what was proudly perky on you takes a downturn into something a little more National Geographic. That’s when you can really count on your female friends to stand by you — and if they’re less affected by gravity, to stand by you in public as often as possible. • (c) 2012, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol. com (advicegoddess.com). Weekly radio show: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon

Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 27

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28 — June 2013 — Asheville Daily Planet