Glory days of Motown recalled; Temptations Review ... reviewed
Dennis Edwards
— See Interview, Pg. 12 • See Concert review, Pg. 13
Sheriff catches flak for viewing Constitution as ‘living’ document — See Story, Pg. 10
Van Duncan
ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
September 2012
Vol. 8, No.10
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Topless rally flops after foes weigh in By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
The second annual topless rally was held Aug. 26 near the Pack Monument in downtown Asheville, but this time attendance of both topless women and gawking and mostly male spectators was down by at least 50 percent, if not more. Somewhere between 500 and 1,000 persons attended the rally, which faced conservative opposition as well as detractors that included Mayor Terry Bellamy and City Council, among others. The rally got off to a slow start, with less than a dozen women wandering around topless and a small crowd of eager onlookers, amid a highly visible police presence. Donna Newman, a Raelian priest from Miami, Fla., who was topless as she addressed the gathering, opened the rally with a speech. (Raëlism, or the Raëlian Church, is a UFO religion that was founded in 1974 by Claude Vorilhon, now known as Raël.) She began by noting that last year, the rally drew an estimated 2,000 people, while this year the turnout was considerably less. With a laugh, Newman also pointed out, , that, “as you can see, most of the people here are men ... This is actually an equal rightss rally for women. Yes, women do have the right to be topless (in public) 365 days per year — and not just for this one day.” As she spoke, four or five women nearby posed topless as per the request of a man attending the rally. Continuing, Newman said told of a married woman who wanted to attend the rally topless, but feared the consequences for her job. “I encourage women of the city to exercise your rights. Your City Council wants to take that away.” Further, Newman said, “Today is National Equality for Women Day.” She then reviewed the history of the women’s suffrage movement and the struggles that ensued to give women the right to vote. “How shameful — that they had to fight for their rights,” she said. “We (women) were held in hostage and we don’t want to be held in hostage again,” she said, as the crowd applauded. Newman asked, rhetorically, “Where does that fear (of taking off a woman’s top) come from?” She then said, “If, indeed there is a God, I don’t think they have a problem with you showing your body in public.” See TOPLESS, Page 23
Daily Planet Staff Photos
All shook up
Nationally known Elvis tribute artist Stephen Freeman (above) performed as the opening act on the evening of Sept. 2 at the 66th annual North Carolina Apple Festival in downtown Hendersonville. Freeman is recognized by Elvis Presley Enterprises as the worldwide fan favorite. He proved to be popular during his performance in Hendersonville. On Sept. 1, the night’s headliner was Charlottebased Too Much Sylvia (left). Its singers, in one interlude, dressed up as women — to hilarious effect — and sang songs by female vocalists.
West Nile Virus termed ‘emerging threat’
By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
A woman in the Asheville-Buncombe County area is being re-examined via follow-up blood tests for the potentially fatal West Nile Virus, according to Sue Ellen Morrison, supervisor of disease control at the Buncombe County Health Department in Asheville. The woman, who the BCHD declined to identify, has had symptoms consistent with WNV, so the convalescent test was taken and the results are expected soon, Morrison said in an Sept. 4 telephone interview with the Daily Planet.
If the patient is found to have WNV, Morrison said that, since “it’s viral, we can look at (using) antibiotics.” Under direct medical supervision the patient may be required to drink more water as well as following other precautions, too. Since WNV — the result of an infected mosquito bite — is incurable, “you can’t treat the disease, but you can address the symptoms,” she said. “You hope people recover, but there have been a number of cases in which those with WNV have died. As of Sept. 4, Morrison said, “There were five cases (of WNV) in North Car-
olina last week. There might be more now. Two had died.” She reiterated, “There is no cure ... There’s not a specific treatment. You treat the symptoms ... We’re still not sure why some (WNV patients) have more serious outcomes” than others. She said people who are older (over age 50), or those with weakened immune systems, tend to be in more danger of contacting the virus. “The majority — 75 percent of the cases have been in Texas and Oklahoma” in the United States, and WNV has resulted in 66 deaths, Morrison said. See WEST NILE VIRUS, Page 22
2 —September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
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The Flying Saucers descend for concert
The band The Flying Saucers performed Aug. 12 at the Music on Main Street concert series in Hendersonville. The six-piece oldies and rockabilly group, based in Rutherfordton, plays the early hits of Sun Records (Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins), as well as the songs of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Little Richard — and The Beatles.
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Asheville Tea Party Event Dragons unleashed
Daily Planet Staff Photo
The band Blue Dragons performed an eclectic fusion of rock, jazz and other genres during an outdoors concert on the evening of Aug. 18 at Biltmore Park in South Asheville.
Justice Paul Newby, N.C. Supreme Court, keynote speaker, at ‘We Read the Constitution’ national event
Saturday, Sept. 15th • 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Lake Julian, Pavilion #2, 406 Overlook Rd., Arden Patriotic crafts for kids. Music. Food.
— Essay Contest Winners awarded by Blue Ridge Republican Women —
DA5 opener bluesy
Daily Planet Staff Photo
The Shane Pruitt Band (above) was the opener during the monthly Downtown After Five gala on Aug. 17 on North Lexington Avenue, below the I-240 overpass, in downtown Asheville. The group bills itself as living and breathing the blues and gospel music. The featured band was Simplified.
To inspire us: Founders John Adams and Patrick Henry, Constitutionalist George Humphries, veteran Dr. Carl Mumpower. Sworn beholden to We The People: candidates R.L. Clark, N.C. Senate 49; and Chris Whitmire, N.C. House 113, and others.
Yes, We Read The Constitution. Free
www.ashevilleteaparty.org
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 - 3
4 —September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Dalton rips McCrory during talk in Asheville By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, told a pro-business group in Asheville on Aug. 10 that his GOP opponent’s consumption tax plan, if imposed, could prove disastrous to the state’s small businesses. “My opponent (Pat McCrory) spoke here a few weeks ago about his tax plan ... He would impose a consumption tax — those are the kinds of things that will kill small businesses .... “I believe in tax reform, but I believe in evolution, not revolution ... We need to streamline our sales tax ... We will help the small businesses of North Carolina,” adding that they are the backbone of the state’s economy. Dalton also charged that McCrory, while serving as Charlotte’s mayor, voted against a pay raise for emergency personnel while taking a pay raise for himself. He also said Charlotte’s taxes, crime and unemployment rose during nine out of 10 years of his mayoralty. He addressed the Council of Independent Business Owners during a luncheon meeting at Magnolia’s Raw Bar & Grille downtown. Dalton was introduced by David Gannt, chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and a fellow Democrat. “I’m particularly impressed with his efforts on behalf of education,” Gantt said, especially touting his successful push for the Early College High School Initiative. To that end, Gantt noted that The New York Times has cited it as “a model for the nation.” What’s more, Gantt said, “The first thing that’s critical to do is to end the stalemate in Raleigh ... We need someone who knows how to compromise.’ He said Dalton fills that bill.
Gantt said Dalton also should be supported because it has been 48 years since Western North Carolina has had a governor from the area — since Dan K. Moore of Jackson County. “We’ve got a man here who’s from our area. He grew up in Rutherford County Lt. Gov. ... He knows our Walter Dalton values.” As Dalton appeared, about 30 of the roughly 90 people at the meeting stood up to cheer him. The applause from the remainder of the audience was more subdued. “We are happy to be back home in Western North Carolina,” Dalton said. “We appreciate the majesty of these mountains.” He noted that his wife Lucille is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, while he is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, where he earned both a bachelor’s in business administration and a law degree. Through his upbringing and early career, building a law practice, Dalton said he learned “teamwork and cooperation.” After serving six terms in the state Senate, he noted with pride that he ran as an underdog for lieutenant governor in 2008 — and won. During his time in government, Dalton said he consistently has voted for WNC issues. For instance, he said he voted for biotech development. As a result, Dalton said the state ranks third in the nation in biotech. He said his efforts have been “transformational” for UNC Asheville, Asheville-Bun-
combe Technical Community College, Western Carolina University and ASU. “I’m noted most about that Innovative Education Act ... You enter in ninth grade and emerge with a degree” five years later ... I won an award for that.” Eventually, “we began to align the Early Colleges with the job needs ... Now we have an agri-science partnership with N.C. State.” As for the state’s economy, Dalton said, “It’s been a tough, tough, tough time. When I was sworn in, it (North Carolina) was between a rock and a hard place ... We went from losing 5,000 manufacturing jobs per year to 25,000 manufacturing jobs for three straight years ... It knocked us to our knees.” “I’d seen Rutherford go to 17 percent unemployment ... It’s not a pretty sight ... I saw small business holding it (the local economy) up. I saw small businesses struggling to get funds, maxing out their credit cards ... I helped set up a small-business lending fund.” During his years as lieutenant governor, Dalton said “I’ve worked to make North Carolina a good place to run a business ... Forbes (magazine) seems to think so. So do others,” who offer comparative state rankings. As for improvements that he would like to make in state government, Dalton said, “We need to make our tax code fair” and “we need to have a one-stop shop — where small business can go” for service. “We (the state) need to be user-friendly” to small businesses. Moreover, he asserted, “We need to be innovative in education — and that’s what Early College is all about .... “We have the best public university system in the nation, offering opportunity for qualified students ... Today, North Carolina has the largest community college system in the United States” — trailing only California and Texas.
“That’s something we can be proud of,” Dalton said. “I think it’s very important that we keep those institutions strong ... We need to keep a strong university system and a strong community college system — and that’s what creates jobs .... “We have peer pressure from China and others, with which we have to compete ... We have to create jobs for the future ... It means retraining workers.” “The eighth-hottest (business) spot in the world is Raleigh-to-Atlanta,” along the I-85 corridor, Dalton said, citing some experts’ ratings. “If you’ve heard Chancellor (John) Bardo talk about the I-26 rib” through Asheville and Hendersonville — and its potential as an offshoot of the hub — then the area’s economic potential is obvious. (Bardo recently retired as chancellor of WCU.) As governor, “my goal is to increase the discretionary income for all North Carolinians,” Dalton said. “The devil is always in the details. My opponent is very short on the details. My opponent said I’m out there for an increase in sales taxes ... I favor a more balanced approach. “I’m running for governor to build us up — and not to tear you down.” He quoted the late American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes as saying, “Most of us die with the music still within us.” Instead of realizing Holmes’ observation, Dalton said, “I want every resident in North Carolina to have the opportunity to reach that potential” to achieve self-actualization. “North Carolina is at a crossroads,” he asserted. “We can either move forward or backward. I want to move North Carolina forward.”
For a story on CIBO’s question-and-answer session with Dalton, see Page 5
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Dalton fields questions From Staff Reports
Questions ranging from his stance on entrepreneurship to ways to raise money to increase spending for education were fielded by N.C. Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, the Democratic nominee for governor, during a question-and-answer session that followed his Aug. 10 address to the Council of Independent Business Owners in Asheville. (A story on Dalton’s address to CIBO, preceding the Q&A, appears on Page 4.) A man began by asking, “How would you avoid embarassment of having to veto legislation” he opposed? “I don’t know that it’s that embarrassing to veto ... I think I have respect on both sides” of the partisan fence, Dalton replied. “First, I think you try to agree on goals. What we have seen is hyper-partisanship — to some degree from both sides. Another man asked, “What is your stance on entrepreneurship?” “We need to encourage entrepreneurship,” Dalton replied. To that end, he noted his New Generations rural initiative offering incentives to young people to launch businesses in rural areas. He added that, “unfortunately, I don’t think that Buncombe County will qualify for that.” On a playful note, Dalton quipped, “Also, most of you look too old for this.” A woman asked the lieutenant governor to comment on his GOP opponent Pat McCrory’s tax plan — “and anything you can do on (soaring) gas prices?” “In January, I said the (state) gas tax should be frozen,” Dalton answered. “As I said” during his CIBO address, “I like lowering taxes” to help fire up the state’s economy. “But I think you’ve got to do what’s necessary to
get through the rough times ... I think you’ve got to use what life gives you.” A man then asked Dalton to specify three reasons why someone should support him over his opponent. In response, Dalton cited his experience in working with health and human services, his history of leading by example and his support for a bill to reduce legislative pay. He said he himself volunteered to take a pay cut, even though it was not required, when the state furloughed workers to cut costs. In contrast, Dalton said McCrory, as Charlotte’s mayor, “vetoed a pay increase for fire and rescue square workers, but he did accept a 19 percent pay raise for himself” at the helm. “You lead by example,” Dalton emphasized. “And you sacrifice with the people you lead.” A man said that Dalton’s advocacy of getting more money into education raises the question of “where do we cut back, if we have to cut back?” “Great question,” Dalton said with a grin. “I’m always for cutting fraud and waste ... I mentioned streaming the sales tax.” He also mentioned making use of cloud services and efficiency improvements in the state motor pool. Dalton also said the next governor needs to “get the state workers together” — and seek their ideas for cutting costs. Also, “cut political patronage and have the best-qualified people” working in key state posts. “As governor, you listen to people” for their ideas for making improvements. When Dalton called a halt to the questioning because of schedule constraints, about 17 people at the CIBO meeting rose to give him a rousing standing ovation.
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WCQS license challenge rejected; compliance cited From Staff Reports
The Federal Communications Commission recently dismissed a challenge to license renewal for WCQS-FM (88.1) in Asheville and renewed the local public radio station’s broadcast license. The petition was filed late last year by the Ad Hoc Committee for Responsible Public Radio, headed by Weaverville resident Fred Flaxman, a retired public radio executive and producer. About 30 people signed the petition. Flaxman said in the petition that he had volunteered to serve on the station’s community advisory board, but learned that it did not have one. This, he noted, is a violation of the Public Broadcasting Act. When the station’s management did establish a board, it was “tightly controlled to make sure that no critics of the station or its policies are allowed to serve,” Flaxman contended. He also complained in the petition that WCQS did not carry programs by local independent producers, including himself. Specifically, Flaxman complained of what he termed “radical changes” made by Jody Evans, executive director of WNC Public Radio, after assuming her duties. For instance, he cited her cancellation of long-time local programs, such as “Conversations,” “Byline” and “Evening Rounds.” In its response, the FCC said that the station “has served the public interest, convenience and necessity during the subject license term, there have been no serious violations of the (Public Broadcasting Act) or the
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rules, and there have been no other violations, which taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse.” In an Aug. 4 email to the Daily Planet, Flaxman said, “Of course, I think it was a bad decision. If a public radio station that violates the Public Broadcasting Act for more than a decade doesn’t deserve to have its application for license renewal denied, what station does? How is breaking the law evidence of operating in the public interest?” Further, Flaxman asserted, “Unfortunately, as we have seen in other areas, such as banking, deregulation and cutting back on government employees make it easier and less work for government agencies, such as the FCC, to keep renewing licenses rather than opening them up to competition for new ownership.” In its response to the petition, WCQS said that “that by ‘local, independent producers or radio programming,’ Mr. Flaxman is thinking primarily of Mr. Flaxman.” See WCQS, Page 25
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6 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
U.S. economy’s future termed bright, despite media’s grim portrayal By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
The United States remains the world’s economic powerhouse and, despite news media reports to the contrary, it is growing and will likely get stronger, an internationally acclaimed economist said during an economic forum Aug. 24 in downtown Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. Also addressing — from a local focus — was Tom Tveidt, a research economist who leads SYNEVA Economics based in Waynesville. (A story on Tveidt’s address appears on Page 7.) “Where are we, economically speaking?” Dr. James Smith, chief economist at Parsec Financial Management in Asheville, asked, as he began his address to about 100 people at the 2012 Annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook. (The Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison counties.) “From all the gloom and doom” in the news media, particularly television, he quipped that everyone should already “know that there is no help.” More seriously, beyond the hoopla, Smith said, “the fact is, if we had reasonabled adjusted figures on a daily basis,” Americans would see that these are boom times. Ever the optimist, he asserted, “Tomorrow will be even better — and the day after that will be even better.” While many Americans are distaught with worry over the economy, Smith pointed out that “the largest economy in the world is in the United States,” where “25 percent of the world’s economic output is produced by 4.8 percent of the world’s people. We’re an economic collosus.” China has the world’s second-largest economy, recently surpassing Japan,” he said, adding that each of the two nations accounts for 12.5 percent of the world’s economy, “so 50 percent of the world’s output” is coming from three nations. What’s more, Smith said Western Europe, as an entity, is responsible for another 31 percent of the world’s output. Thus, the U.S., China, Japan and Western Europe produce 81 percent of the world’s economic output. To put the situation into perspective, there are 190 countries in the United Nations, Smith noted, and “107 of them have economies smaller than Asheville’s.” However, in the U.S., Asheville ranks as the 114th largest metro area. As for concern that “Greece is in big trouble,” he said, “It’s always been a problem ... It’s original default was in 14 B.C.” The crowd laughed. Smith shared his idea for saving the Euro Zone. “For Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal, you restructure their debt — extending it out over time so that it is workable for those countries” — as has been done previously for some South American countries. However, the economist noted that it is questionable whether the aforementioned idea will be followed — and “Europe could collapse,” meaning its collective gross domestic product would drop by 15 percent or more. “That would take 1-1/2 percent of U.S. GDP,” Smith said. After a pause, he smiled and added, “You should worry about Japan” most. “The good news is they owe it (a big debt) to themselves.” With a dwindling population, retirees will have to give up some of their entitlements to help the country recover —
and ensure a future for its youngsters, Smith said. “They’ll do it — and then they’ll find something else to worry about.” Gazing into his economic crystal ball, Smith predicted that the Republicans will make gains of Dr. James Smith six or seven seats each in the Senate and House in the November elections. “The odds are the Republicans won’t gain” enough seats to make them filibuster-proof. A Republican House and a Republic Senate — and (Democratic) President Obama re-elected — that would be very interesting,” Smith said. He cited a poll he had seen earlier in the day, showing Obama with 57.2 percent of voters in a poll favored the president over his presumptive GOP challenger, Mitt Romney. However, Smith said he had seen another prominent poll that showed Obama and Romney in a dead heat. He noted that “there’s never been a president re-elected (in modern times) with the unemployment rate above 7.2 percent.” (It is now 8.2 percent.) “Of course, the Republicans have this wonderful ability to shoot themselves in the foot,” Smith asserted. Turning to economic predictions, Smith said, “The second quarter will be revised upward from 1-1/2 percent. He said maybe 2.2 percent is the consensus, according to Bloomberg, while “I’m at 2.6 percent” on his own prediction. For next year, the consensus is 1.0 to 4.0 for economic growth and “I’m at 4.0.” Two years out, economists are predicting 1.8 to 4.5 percent growth and “I’m at 4.5 percent.” Still, Smith said that, so far, the economy its weakest-ever recovery from a recession, at least in modern times. The economy has grown only 6.7 percent since the trough of the recession in 2009, he said. There is much debate over why the recovery has been so tepid, but Smith said the small-businesspeople with whom he speaks have said they “are miserable because sales are weak and there are too many regulations.” Conversely, big corporations are happy with their record profits, he said. On the jobs front, Smith said in the 12 months ending in June, 51.3 million new hires had been reported, but 49.6 million people left their jobs. “So we churned 100,900,000 jobs to get a net gain of only 1.8 million jobs. “ “The Federal Reserve may go with QE3 (quantitative easing for a third time). Why? What could lower interest rates possibly gain us? ... All they’re doing is setting stage for future inflation.” Instead, Smith suggested that the Fed would be better advised to focus on ways to cut the national deft. He said vehicle sales have been “very, very strong” in recent months.. As for business investment, Smith said that in today’s hyper-competitive environment, “if you don’t invest to be competitive, someone will eat your lunch.” “Yes. we will have an election. We will survive it.” Other problems will arise, he deadpanned, but he predicted that the U.S. will survive those, too.
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Imagine that you made $21,700 last year, but you spent $38,200. To make ends meet you borrowed $16,500 on your credit card. The only problem is that you already have a credit card debt of $159,500. In addition, for the past several years you have been collecting money from all your neighbors with the promise that you would give it back to them for their retirement and medical costs. You now owe them a total $616,000, but instead of saving the money, you spent the money on other things. You are facing bankruptcy and need a way out. Four years ago, you put your hope in a management team to fix your financial problems. After much fan fare they were able to find you a total savings of $385 dollars. They congratulated themselves on doing a great job and gave themselves a raise. Hoping you would fall for their smooth talk and not notice the actual results of their work, they are now asking you for 4 more years to fix the problems. This would be funny if it were not true. These numbers are the actual United States government budget figures with many of the zeros left off. Now is the time for you to decide to continue with the old management team or change. You have two candidates to run this team and you must decide.
Candidate A
He is a professional “turn-around” specialist. He has over 25 years experience in taking failing operations both private and public and making them profitable. He enjoys the analytical process of solving tough problems and putting the best team together to execute the right solutions. In the process he has made himself and others millions of dollars and created 1000’s of jobs. He is a success. He is not a “sweet talker,” but a serious problem-solver that will treat you like an adult. He will tell you to develop a budget and live within your means otherwise bankruptcy will occur.
Candidate B
He is a smooth-talking salesman that has no experience at fixing financial failing operations. He has mastered the skill of deflecting the blame to others when things go wrong and accepting the credit if it goes right. He is likable and uses this to his advantage with the hopes you won’t notice what is actually happening. Give him 4 more years and he will make sure all your problems are solved. In fact he will promise you anything you want, as long as you don’t hold him accountable for not delivering on his commitments. Although Uncle Sam is broke he keeps spending, taking more and more money from productive individuals with the “Hope and Change” that the problem will go away.
Everything you have worked for your entire life and your children’s future is dependent on you making the right decision. Do you hire candidate A or B this November? Paid by: Venture Investments, LLC
Asheville Daily Planet —September 2012 — 7
Asheville metro gains cited in slow recovery From Staff Reports
Besides his usual number-crunching presentation on the local economy, which continues to recover, economist Tom Tveidt also featured an analysis of “the new economy” in Asheville during his Aug. 24 address at the 2012 Annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook in downtown’s Diana Wortham Theater. Also addressing the forum was Dr. James Smith, who focused on the national and international economies. (Smith’s address appears on Page 6.) Tveidt is a research economist who leads SYNEVA Economics in Waynesville, In a quick summary of his past 13 years of making presentations on the four-county Asheville metro outlook, he said the economy improved for many years, then fell off a cliff and has been improving ever since. “We have about 170,000 employees in the four-county metro area,” Tveidt said. The area lost 10,000 jobs in the recession, but has made gains, so “we’ve got 5,600 more jobs to get back to where we were.” He said the area has shown two consecutive years of growth, with 1.5 percent growth shown in 2012. “We’re growing at the rate we’ve grown historically for the last three years,” Tveidt said. He added that the Asheville area has the fifth-highest growth rate among state metro areas, putting it in the top third. Wilmington, which historically has been comparable to Asheville in many ways, “is really struggling” economically, while Asheville is doing well, Tveidt said. “Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are at the top,” bolstered by the Research Triangle. Whle the metro jobless rate of 7.9 percent is painfully high, “we’re lower than the (averages in the) state and nation,” he noted. However, the fact that 17,000 people in the area looking for work remains a big problem. As for housing, Tveidt asserted, “We’ve had four quarters of increasing home sales ... In the last two quarters, we’ve had increases in prices ... The middle of the market is beginning to move.” He also noted that building permits were up “significantly” in the metro area for the second quarter, mainly for single-family homes — and up 57 percent from a year earlier. The metro’s population growth is 0.8 percent, amounting to 4,000 “or so” people moving into the area per year — half the average at the previous peak before the socalled Great Recession, he said. Home appreciations have declined 4.7 percent in the past year, which Tveidt termed “a little bit disappointing. “Nationally, it went up 1.8 percent.” In a measure he called the “housing opportunity index,” Tveidt said “the trend has been pretty positive — 72 percent. While the national average is 74 percent, “real strong movement on housing affordability” is being seen in the area. Lastly in his general metro analysis, he noted that there were 171 foreclosures in July, which he termed “unreasonably high.” Prior to the recession, he said the metro area averaged 90 foreclosures per month. In turning to what he called “new emerging Asheville economy,” Tveidt said his criteria for those included in that category include steady growth since the recession ended in 2009 — and recording new 13year highs in sales with the latest data. In the metro area, he said the top industry employers include home health care services, followed by private colleges and universities, manufacturing (especially of
beverages and communications equipment), and advertising services. He said the new economy is leading to higher-paying jobs in the aforementioned industries. “The real growth has been in knowledge workers,” Tveidt said. “For years, we thought Tom Tveidt Asheville would be a great place to attract them. Finally, we’re starting to see them.” The economist also noted that older workers are gaining in the local job market at the expense of younger workers. The metro’s labor force totals 1,673 — or 7 percent — workers at ages 55-64, with 2,168 fewer workers at ages 25 and under. Tveidt said he guessed that Baby Boomers may be afraid to retire or leave their jobs,
Local achiever honored
Lisa Carpenter Baldwin, who holds the Reynolds District seat on the Buncombe County Board of Education, was recognized at the recent 2012 UNC Greensboro Alumni Reunion Weekend for her achievements. She received the 2012 Pacesetter Alumni Award from the UNCG School of Health and Human Sciences. The award honors outstanding alumni who have attained local, state or regional recognition through their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service, during their career or through civic involvement.
8 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Buncombe Forward backs 4th school board candidate Buncome Forward, a local conservative activist group, recently announced its endorsement of Brian Freelan, a candidate for the North Buncombe District seat on the Buncombe County School Board. Previously, the group endorsed three additional candidates, including Jerry Green, at large; Dan Hale, Owen District; and Amy Churchill, Roberson District. “We have heard from many parents who are very unhappy with the current dysfunctional school board,” Buncombe Forward announced. “Among other things, the current board has consistently worked against transparency and accountability, has been fiscally irresponsible, has been unresponsive to parents’ concerns and has engaged in questionable hiring practices. Special-interest influence and a general lack of oversight have left our children at the back of the bus.” Freelan is a 1986 graduate of North Buncombe High School. He served in the military as an M.P. for 20 years and recently retired from local law enforcement with the Asheville Police Department after 15 years of dedicated service to the community, which includes being awarded Police Officer of the Year.
He lives in We a v e r v i l l e with his wife Christina and their son, who will enter the second grade at Weaverville Elementary. For the past two years, Freelan has served on the We a v e r v i l l e PTO and is currently the vice president. Brian Freelan This fall, he will serve on the advisory board for the school. Freelan’s dedication to enriching the lives of children include serving as a room parent and as an assistant den leader for his son’s Boy Scout Troop, Buncombe Forward noted. He will move into the position of assistant cub master this fall and said he looks forward to the opportunity to further serve the students and community through a position on the Buncombe County School Board.
Second in a series of three stories
damage was “very limited,” instead of a “black swan.” He noted that a “black swan” is an event that comes in out of the blue. It’s an unexpected event” that has Steve Nolan a major impact. Nolan then spoke briefly of his personal experience as a prepper. “My (prepper) journey started when I was doing research on a screenplay,” he said. At that point, Nolan noted that his prepper experience, in a way, has been similar to that of Neo, the lead character in the film “The Matrix.” In the film, Neo is told he could take the blue pill and go back to sleep, or the red pill and get an idea of what is actually happening. When Neo elects to take the red pill, he is propelled into a world that is both shocking and challenging. “Well, my red pill was a stack of books at Barnes & Noble (bookstore),” Nolan noted. In his research, he studied the Mayan prophecy, which, he said, states that the end of the world will occur on Dec. 21, 2012. He said the prophecy merits a look because “they (the Mayans) were at their cutlural peak when Europe was still in the Dark Ages.” While he has mixed thoughts on the prophecy, he said that there are some unusual natural phenomenon expected to happen on that date. “On Dec. 21, our planet and the sun will be directly in line with the solar system.” Coincidentally, “right now,” Nolan asserted, the earth is “in a period of a high probability of solar flares. As for why he was discussing preparations for an EMP attack, Nolan said, “If you can prepare for them, you’re prepared for anything.” In his definition of an EMP, which results in a highly charged electron, he said it could be a solar flare or a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, which explodes in
Daily Planet Staff Photo
Goombay gala entertains
The 31st annual Goombay Festival was held Aug. 24-26 on the Block, the city’s historic African-American business district at Eagle and Market streets in downtown Ashville. The celebration of African-Caribbean ancestry is intended to bring together everybody — and not just people of color. Features included dance lessons (above), a parade, live music, arts and crafts, drum-
ming and a variety of goods. About 25,000 people were expected for the gala. This year’s focus was on youth enrichment. Reportedly, the Goombay-style gatherings began in Bermuda during the era of slavery, with participants drawing on rhythms and music from Africa and the West Indies. Early dancers used a drum called a “gombey,” meaning rhythm.
99% of Americans unprepared (and don’t care), group told By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
FORT MILL, S.C. — Despite repeated and increasingly numerous catastrophic weather events around the United States and threats of an economic collapse, terrorism and another world war based on Middle East tensions, most Americans are experiencing “cognitive dissonance,” believing that “something that bad can’t happen” to them. At least that was the viewpoint of Steven Nolan, who spoke during Charlotte PrepCon on July 14. “Americans are narcissists ... Ninety-nine percent of Americans are totally unprepared” for a catastrophe — “nor do they care,” Nolan told the crowd of about 500 people at The Pointe Arts & Rec Center, adjoining the Charlotte Knights Stadium. Among the attendees were about a dozen residents of the four-county Asheville metro area. On the positive side, he complimented “the one percent” of the population, including those attending the preppers conference, for their interest and efforts. Nolan’s presentation, “Thinking the Unthinkable: Life After an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) Event,” told of what he could be a return for Americans to a lifestyle from several centuries earlier. Noland is co-founder of SurvivalWeek. com, a daily news aggregator monitoring more than 100 websites daily featuring more than 10,000 articles, practical tips and breaking news serving the prepper community. Nolan also is publisher of The Beacon, a monthly eMagazine dedicated to likeminded Americans interested in becoming more self-reliant. In addition he is the author of the “Thinking the Unthinkable” series of white papers. He began by asking, “How many of you knew we had one (an EMP event) last Thursday (July 12)?” Specifically, Nolan said the “event” was a solar flare, and — fortunately — its
the atmosphere above the earth — and fries the circuits in all digital devices. The ramifications of an EMP attack are “what keep me up at night,” Nolan said. “Iran — they could put a scud missile in a boat off the coast” and explode it over the U.S., sending the America back to the 18th century, with no electrical grid and barely any technology that would still function. During an EMP attack, “airplanes are just going to drop out of the sky” as their engines are rendered inoperable, “and most cars will die on the road.” For those pre-digital vehicles still running, “it takes gasoline to run gas pumps,” so fuel will be hard to obtain. Besides Iran, he also worried about EMP attacks from other enemies, including North Korea, China, Russia and “terrorists in general.” If the grid goes down, Nolan predicted, many people will die because one percent of Americans feeds the other 99 percent.” And today’s agriculture, he noted, is based on high-tech equipment that no longer will work. “The train system is computer-based,” as are many other mass transit systems, so chaos will ensue, he said. With a high-altitude EMP attack, a long-term power outage could take years to restore, especially since “all the equipment is made in China.” As a prepper, he added, “I try to make sure my car always has at least threefourths of a tank of gas,” to give him flexibility if catastrophe hits. “The average American only keeps three weeks of food in the house and three days of water,” Nolan lamented. “People get testy when they can’t feed their families.” Under cataclysmic conditions, “the breakdown of society occurs in a matter of days. When you can’t buy anything, people will start looking” at what their neighbors have. “What about prisons? Do you do the humane thing and let them (the inmates) out?” Armed gangs will take over in many cases and “the bottom line is you don’t want to do it (try to survive) alone,” Nolan
said. “Look back at (Hurricane) Katrina (in New Orleans) ... where house searches and gun confiscations” occurred. “If you do bug out, you need to have a place to go ... Historically speaking, refugees never fare well .... In general, Nolan said, “Water storage is a key to prepping ... Water is the most critical component to prepping. Be able to filter water at your shelter or on the go.” In citing many examples of the U.S. government’s mishandling of disasters, “The bottom line is you don’t want to depend on the government” when a disaster happens. “You need to have physical gold and silver on hand — even junk silver ... Get to know your neighbors ... Get serious firstaid equipment and learn how to use it.” Further, Nolan said, “Learn how to barter. Learn a new skill set — maybe smallengine repair ... Ham radio — learn it. To get started, make plans. Keep your faith — without it, you’d just be a basket case.” During a question-and-answer session afterward, Nolan was asked of the cutoff on EMP-proof vehicles. “I think it’s generally 1973 and back,” he replied. Someone asked if cellphones would continue to work after an EMP attack. “They may be fine, but the cell towers run off electricity” — and the grid will be rendered inoperable, Nolan said. “What do you say to anyone if they say you’re all nuts?” someone asked. Nolan grinned and prompted laughter when he said he tells skeptics, “I don’t really have a tin-foil hat — it’s life insurance.” What is his view on a possible currency collapse? he was asked. “I think it would be a currency issue, more than anything else,” Nolan replied. “I think one day there’d be a ‘bank holiday,’ and the currency would be devalued.” Another person asked about bartering. “Batteries are great” for bartering,” Nolan said. “Dental floss, sewing needles ... Personally, I think the next currency will be the .22 bullet ... Have silver on hand. Junk silver is a great way to go.”
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 9
Coming in September
Heritage Life Skills Weekend
Daily Planet Staff Photo
Participants in the ribbon-cutting for L-RU’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville are (from left) Dr. K. Paul Knott, director of the CGS; Dr. Larry Hall, L-RU’s provost; Esther Manheimer, Asheville’s vice mayor; Dr. Wayne Powell, L-RU’s president; Gordon Smith, member, Asheville City Council; Rudy Wright, Hickory’s mayor; state Rep. Patsy Keever, D-Buncombe; Peter Kendall, L-RU’s vice president of administration and finance; Sage Dunston, CGS’ enrollment management counselor; Linda Brandt, board chair, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce; Sara Landry, CGS’ center affairs coordinator; Laura Copeland, vice president of public policy, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce; and Jen Vandewetering, WorkJack.
L-RU marks opening of grad center in Asheville From Staff Reports
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s opening of its new downtown Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville was celebrated with the presentation of a key to the city to the school’s president on Aug. 13. In addition, Mayor Terry Bellamy proclaimed the day as “Lenoir-Rhyne University Day,” speeches were made and a ribboncutting was held. Also, tours of the facility, located at 36 Montford Ave., on the second and third floors of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center building, were offered and a public reception was held. Bellamy missed the ceremony because of a funeral she had to attend, so the city was represented by Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer. Also on hand from the city was Councilman Gordon Smith. On behalf of Bellamy, Manheimer presented the key to the city to Dr. Wayne Powell, L-RU’s president. Powell told the gathering that “We thought we’d go out and look at other places (beyond Hickory) to expand ... Quite frankly, we looked at a lot of places — it’s not like we” immediately homed in on Asheville. “We’ve never received such a positive reception as we received in Asheville.” He added that “it’s going to be a high-tech higher education focused on what students want ... We think we’ve got it right, but if we don’t, we’ll change it.” Dr. Paul Knott, founding director of the center, triggered laughter from the crowd when he quipped, “All of you who came today are special today ... I feel like Sally Fields — ‘It feels wonderful!’” Manheimer praised the university for aiming to “develop innovative leaders.” After Manheimer read a lengthy city resolution and presented Powell with the key to the city, the LR-U president prompted laughter when he asked, with a hint of playfulness, “What does that open?” More seriously, Powell said, “There’s a secret to leadership — and that is to hire people who are smarter than me.” Referring to the university’s leadership
at the Asheville center, he said, “This is the best team anyone could have — and that’s why things work so well at Lenoir-Rhyne.” He also said the support for the university is wide, noting that even Hickory’s mayor and chamber of commerce president made time to attend the Asheville ceremony. In March, L-RU, based in Hickory, expanded into Asheville and purchased 45 percent of the chamber building, where the center is located. The gala was preceded by a VIP reception, which included Powell, Manheimer, and Knott, as well as members of the university administration, faculty and staff and local and regional community, business, education and appointed and elected leaders. The Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville is billed as a new education and workforce development resource in downtown Asheville. The CGS will offer nine new graduate programs, all selected specifically for the region’s unique economy and job market, and aimed at equipping leaders at all levels to meet the current and future needs of Western North Carolina and beyond. The gala was the first time the newly remodeled building has been available for public tours. Classes are held on the third floor, which has recently been remodeled to include classrooms, state-of-the-art technology, and conference rooms. Classes began Aug. 20 at the CGS, designed for the working professional in the evenings, on weekends and online in health care/sciences, business and government, liberal arts and sciences, and education and human services. Founded in 1891, L-RU is a private, coeducational university with its primary campus in Hickory. Today, more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the university. Academic programs include 60 undergraduate majors, 14 graduate programs, the CGS of Asheville, and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C. LR-U, affiliated with the N.C. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, says it welcomes students from all religious backgrounds.
Hands-On Classes
Registration starts Aug. 10 To register, visit www.CarolinaReadiness.com
Sept. 28, 29, 30
Haywood County Fairgrounds 758 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville
Admission: $100 for adults
$75 for teenagers (13-19) • $50 for children (7-12) • Free for under 7
Come and join us for a weekend of learning! RVs & Tents - Free camping. No electricity available. Participate in hands-on learning!
Classes being offered are:
Butchering Fire Starting* Canning Meat* Wood Cutting/Splitting Canning Fruits/Vegetables* Archery Dehydrating Reloading Sprouting Blacksmith/Knife-making Food Storage Tanning Leather Dutch Oven Cooking Field Trauma/sutures* Sun Oven Cooking Shelters Candle Making* Organizing a group Soap Making* Trapping Gunsmith Spinning & Weaving Solar Energy Knot tying Bread Making* Marshall Law Edible/Medicinal Plant Search CPR Certification Herbal Salves, Tinctures, Teas* Basic First Aid Children’s Corner Some classes will be limited — sign up for classes early. Classes subject to change. *Minimal materials charge Bring pad & pens, and folding chairs. If you make music— bring your instruments!
Children’s Classes
If you want your child to attend adult classes with you, admission is $75 per child. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times unless enrolled in children’s classes.
Carolina Readiness Supply Inc. Will you be ready when the lights go out?
72 Montgomery St. Waynesville, N.C. 28786
(828) 456-5310
www.carolinareadiness.com
10 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Duncan’s ‘living Constitution’ view draws fire By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
ARDEN — Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, a Democrat, ignited verbal sparks when he said the United States Constitution is “a living document” during an address to the Asheville Tea Party following an Oath Keepers presentation on Aug. 13 at Lone Star Steakhouse. A number of ATP members responded to the sheriff with shouts of “no!” and boos to his interpretation of the Constiution as a document that evolves and changes over time. Duncan also said he opposes the Oath Keepers, triggering more friction between him and his conservative audience. Meanwhile, Henderson County Sheriff Charlies McDonald, a Republican, who said he sees the Constitution as a static document, received a more positive reception from the standing-room-only crowd of about 50 people that jammed into the eatery’s meeting room. Regarding his position on Oath Keepers, which he supports, McDonald asserted, “While I do support our Constitution, I believe our biggest change is our ability to pray to the almighty God.” In an apparent effort to avoid creating polarization with Duncan, whom he repeatedly called a friend, McDonald said, “Like Sheriff Duncan, I am a constitutionalist.” However, a man interjected, “You’re a constitutionalist — are you a living constititionalist or a static constitutionalist?” In a reference to Duncan, McDonald said on that issue, “We vary a little bit ... and he’s still my good friend ... I believe it (the Constitution) was written the way it’s supposed to be.” To that, the ATP members erupted in cheering and applause. Also present at the meeting were Oath Keepers’ spokesmen Vic Behoriam and Barry Kinchen; and Scott Bissinjer, Buncombe’s chief sustainability officer. As the meeting began, ATP Chairwoman Jane Bilello introduced Behoriam and Kinchen, who gave a lengthy presentation, which included the showing of two eight-minute videos. As they noted, Oath Keepers’ members swear to honor their oath to the United States Constitution. When they asked how many military veterans were in the audience, about one-fourth to one-third of the crowd raised its hands. It was noted during their program that U.S. Marines have the right to refuse to obey an unlawful order. In the videos, a clip appeared to show U.S. soldiers — apparently unlawfully — taking away guns from people in Louisiana during the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Following the program, Duncan and McDonald shared their views on the Oath Keepers, triggering a lively discussion and question-andanswer session. Speaking first, Duncan, Buncombe’s sheriff, said, “There are things there with the Oath Keepers that make me uncomfortable.” Specifically, the sheriff said, “They think our federal government is pushing for a one-world government,” a contention with which he disagrees. Also, he added, “They talk about how they wouldn’t stop individuals and states from seceding” from the union. Further, Duncan charged that the Oath Keepers seem to be “9/11 truthers.,” meaning they see some kind of devious involvement — possibly complicity with the perpetrators — by the U.S. government in the 9/11 disaster. He suggested to the Oath Keepers and ATP members that, “to get a little perspective on it,” they research the matter further and read “reliable” websites. At that point, Duncan was greeted with a cascade of ATP members shouting “No!” when he said, “The Constitution is a living document.” With a grin, the sheriff said, “I’m a 2nd
Daily Planet Staff Photos
Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan (second from left), flanked by two Oath Keepers who gave a presentation, addresses the Asheville Tea Party on Aug. 13. At far right is Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald. Amendment supporter ... and I’m a Democrat.” Upon further questioning by ATP members, Duncan said, “I don’t support the Oath Keepers because there are things there that might cause me to violate my oath.” He added that because he is Buncombe’s elected sheriff, “I owe it to you” to explain his stance on the issue. And, despite contentions made about government intrusion during the Oath Keepers’ presentation, Duncan said, “I’ve never seen any overstepping of the government’s bonds in Buncombe County .... “I’ve never had an occasion where the FBI” or any other law enforcement agency “came in and dictated” what would be done locally. Duncan reiterated to his ATP critics, “Research. Check your sources and research.” Someone asked Duncan, “How would you have responded to (Hurricane) Katrina?” “I can’t find a situation where they (law enforcement) went in to someone’s home, but I
did find several cases where people had guns in the streets” — and the guns were seized by the police. Duncan was asked about his view of the government’s handling of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas. (In 1993, Koresh, 54 other adults and 28 children were found dead after a raid and siege by government agents, after which their compound was set on fire.) “I think it could have been handled” better, Duncan said of the Waco incident. Regarding immigration enforcement, Duncan said, “Unless the county sheriff enters into an agreement with the federal government, then we have no authority to enforce immigrations laws.” Behoriam, the Oath Keepers’ main speaker said, “That’s what I’m talking about — bureaucracies running wild. You guys (the two sheriffs) have been holding the line” against the bureaucrats.
At that point, McDonald, Henderson’s sheriff, said, “I’ve known Sheriff Duncan since the 1980s ... I do want you to know he’s an honorable, super-good man.” He added, “We have a great sheriff’s assocation in North Carolina. The vast majority of those guys are Christians ... A lot of thought and prayer goes into our decisions.” During a question-and-answer session that followed the sheriffs’ remarks, meeting attendee Don Yelton said, “Yeah, Van. How much did you pay the (Henderson) sheriff to say good things about you?” “Charlie and I have worked together for a long time,” Duncan replied evenly. “He’s a good man.” A man asked McDonald, “What do we do about the federal government not protecting our borders?” “You can’t have a solid nation without secure borders,” McDonald answeredd. “I see a lot of people from other countries — primarily from Mexico and even from Honduras ... They were brought here” at a very young age — “and they don’t know any more about Honduras than I do,” He added, “My job is to do what’s in the best interests of the county.” Duncan said, “I’m not going to argue with anyone that says Washington is broken because of partisan politics.” Bilello, the ATP chief, then noted to the embattled Duncan that, despite their differences, “we support you and thank you for coming.” She noted that Duncan sent deputies to an ATP candidates’ forum last fall to provide security — after the Asheville Police Department refused — when threats of disruptions of the event were received from Occupy Asheville participants. (No disruption occurred.) On a positive note, Behoriam told the ATP members, “The feeling I got from the two sheriffs today is ... that they’re prepared to do the right thing.”
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 11
Daily Planet Staff Photos
Asheville marks Bee City USA status Asheville, recently named the first Bee City USA, held a celebration for bee-lovers that included an official city proclamation at the Asheville City Market on Aug. 18. At left, two young women sample some honey
No sourwood honey at Sourwood Festival
The annual Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain on Aug. 11-12 drew throngs of visitors. However, local beekeeper Edd Buchanan (right) said
produced by Wild Mountain Apiaries & Beekeeping Supply of Marshall. Above, Jon Cristie, Wild Mountain’s owner-manager, shows off an observation beehive to educate and entertain customers at the market.
Daily Planet Staff Photos
that because of weather conditions, no sourwood honey was harvested in the area this year. However, area beekeepers had other kinds of honey for sale.
Dirty Dancing Festival provides weekend fun
The Third Annual Dirty Dancing Festival was held Aug. 17-18 at Lake Lure, where portions of “Dirty Dancing” was filmed. At left is Billy Scott (center with hands raised) and the Party Prophets, along with three youngsters from the crowd who were invited to dance along with Scott on stage for a Motown song. The festival also featured other bands, dance lessons and a reshowing of the famous film.
12 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
A MESSAGE TO BUNCOMBE VOTERS
Dennis Edward (forefront) took over as lead singer of The Temptations in 1968, following the firing of David Ruffin. Along with a string of No. 1 hits with Edwards, his leads helped the group win Grammys for “Cloud Nine” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”
Temptations lead singer recalls Motown’s heyday By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
Dennis Edwards, former lead singer of The Temptations and now a resident of St. Louis, was interviewed by the Asheville Daily Planet on Aug. 20, prior to the group’s Aug. 31 concert at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Edwards, the father of Issa Pointer, whose mother is Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters, began singing at age 2 in his father’s church in Birmingham, Ala. By 1961, he had organized his own group, Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs. Five years later, he joined The Contours, a recording group. In 1968, he became the first to join the so-called “classic five” of The Temptations, when he was selected as the replacement for lead singer David Ruffin. He followed with a string of No. 1 records and Edwards was inducted —in what was called the “classic five-plus-one” — with The Temptations into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. He was hired and fired by The Temptations three times. After a prolonged legal battle between Otis Williams, the group’s leader and sole survivor of the “classic five” Temptations, a settlement was reached allowing Edwards to tour under the name The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards. Williams continues to tour separately with The Temptations. Edwards’ group members include Paul Williams Jr., son of original Temptation Paul Williams; David Sea, Mike Patillo and Chris Arnold. Following are excepts of that telephone interview: ADP: Any opening comments? EDWARDS: “It’s been quite a ride. We lost (from the ‘classic five’ lineup) Eddie, Paul, David and Melvin ... Otis (Williams, the lone survivor of the originals) and I are great friends.” Edwards said that he and Williams celebrated the 50th anniversary of the group together last year — the first time they had spent time together in decades. “You never know” — Williams and him might get together for a reunion tour or
album sometime, Edwards said. ADP: Famed Motown producer Brian Holland recently released “The Brian Holland Sessions” album, featuring Detroit vocalist MoZella, with all new songs intended to sound like they were straight out of 1965 Motown. Do you think the classic Motown Sound has a future — or are such project just a meaningless exercise in nostalgia? EDWARDS: “He (Brian Holland) was a part of the classic Motown Sound ... What they’re missing is the Funk Brothers (Motown’s session musicians who backed most of the label’s songs from 1959 to 1972). You can’t reproduce it (the sound) without the Funk Brothers ... It’s like a pie — it takes all of the parts ... They’re great producers,” he said of Holland-Dozier-Holland (the Motown writing team of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian and Edward Holland Jr., who wrote many of the hits of Motown from 1962 to 1967), but it takes the complete sound to make it” authentic Motown. “We just had a family love of the music. You don’t get that now — it’s a corporate world” today. It was a magical moment (during Motown’s heyday.) Even when we (Motown Records) moved to California, we never recaptured that sound out of Hitsville (the original studio in downtown Detroit). It was a magical era— it’s hard to recreate a magical moment.” ADP: What was your impression of the 1998 made-for-TV miniseries “The Tempations” based on Otis Williams’ book? Do you feel that you and other group members were depicted accurately, such as in the scene showing you talking to David Ruffin’s date (famed singer) Tammi Terrell — and a jealous Ruffin had his agent Flynn snatch her away from you? EDWARDS: “I think it was done very well ... Of course, some of the incidents were dramatized and didn’t happen ... The main thing in the movie was David did drugs ... He also was a great person, too,” but Edwards said that part was not shown. See TEMPTATIONS, Page 25
You might use the register of deeds office only once or twice in your lifetime and may not be aware that what you don’t know CAN hurt you. The slightest discrepancy or problem in that office can cost you time, money and loss of property rights. Throughout 26 years in the title insurance business, I have worked daily with the register of deeds office, and I clearly understand the significant financial impact of that office on our county’s citizens. Buncombe County’s Register of Deeds directs a multi-million dollar budget and oversees 16 employees. That office is a business that requires oversight by an experienced business professional. The greatest portion of my life’s work taught me the intricacies of the register’s office, the legal environment in which the office operates, and the protection of our property rights through vigilance. Buncombe County voters, you have in me an educated, experienced, accountable and proven leader. I encourage you to visit my website, view the Candidate Comparison and the Issues tab, and learn more. Traditionally, register of deeds elections tend to be “endorsement races” — contests where political backing and connections count more than qualifications for office. With the important duties that office performs for you, the voter, true qualifications matter more than political affiliation. The last new, voter-elected register of deeds was George Digges Jr. in 1918. He retired before the end of his term 45 years later and son “Winky” Digges was appointed to that position. Winky died in office after 15 years and Otto DeBruhl was appointed. After 33 years, Otto retired during his term in 2011 and the current incumbent was appointed. It’s time your votes elect a new register of deeds.
B.S. in Real Estate, MBA & Master of Entrepreneurship Leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies Business Owner and Jobs Creator Certified Real Estate Educator Buncombe County Native
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 13
Concert review
Dennis Edwards’ Temptations: Sunshine on a cloudy day
JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
FRANKLIN — Introduced as “Motown’s original boy band,” The Temptations Review Starring Dennis Edwards performed a 90-minute Aug. 31 show that delighted the crowd that filled about twothirds of the 1,500-seat Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. With no intermission, the five singers — backed by the group’s tight eight-piece orchestra — not only sang the group’s classics and a few songs by others, but added some vocal pyrotechnics and awe-inspiring ad-lib jams — to many of The Temptations’ top songs, while executing classic Motown choreography, The group — through its urging of the crowd — frequently had the audience clapping and on its feet. As the crowd loosened up, some audience members spontaneously shouted their appreciation for the group and its songs through the remainder of the concert. While the crowd was mostly older, many younger fans were in attendance, too. The concert sparkled with spine-tingling vocal performances of two “rain” songs — “I Wish It Would Rain,” a Temptations hit; and “Rainy Night in Georgia,” made famous by solo vocalist Brook Benton — and a silky-smooth rendition of “Lady Soul.” On the critical side, the group was not near as high-stepping or high-energy as were the original Temptations in their prime. However, given that Edwards, the lead singer, just had had prostrate surgery, another group member was recovering from recent knee surgery, and that the group — as a whole — is much older than the originals were in their prime, the choreography was more than adequate. Also, Edwards appeared early in the concert to be a bit irritated with a technical problem — a barely audible microphone. However, that problem was resolved and that distraction dissolved. The show started with the lively and funky “Standing on the Top,” followed by “Hello, Young Lovers” from the Broadway musical “The King and I.” At that point, Edwards announced that the group was “going to go back to the beginning” of The Temptations — and blasted away with early hits, including “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” revving up the crowd. Slowing the pace, the group then performed a drop-dead gorgeous version of “Lady Soul,” which, to that point, got the most applause of the show. Next, Paul Williams Jr. sang a particularly soulful version of “Don’t Look Back,” Private Outdoor Hot Tubs Massages Accommodations LOCAL SOAK SPECIALS FOR BUNCOMBE COUNTY RESIDENTS! 2 HOURS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 HOUR SUNDAYS-THURSDAYS 42Private tub, Cold Plunge, Cedar Sauna Towels, sandals, shower & amenities
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Daily Planet Staff Photo
The Temptations Review Starring Dennis Edwards performed Aug. 31 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. To the far right is Edwards, who sang lead on many Temptations hits following the firing of David Ruffin. In the middle is Paul Williams Jr., whose late father was a member of The Temptations’ “classic five.” which was the most memorable Temptations song on which his late father sang lead. The pace picked up again with “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” with Edwards singing lead on a song for which he and The Temptations won their second Grammy. Next, Edwards dedicated his group’s poignant rendition of “Rainy Night in Georgia” to “all the lovely ladies in the audience. The crowd members, a number of whom drove from Georgia (especially the Atlanta area) to see the show, applauded wildly, topping even the applause for “Lady Soul.” “I’m going to take you way back to 1968,” Edwards said, noting that he and The Temptations won Motown’s first Grammy for their performance of “Cloud Nine,” which the group followed with “I Can’t Get Next to You” and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today).” Edwards then said that “when we have a special audience (such as Franklin’s), we’d like to perform a special song. The group then did its ultra-soulful version of “Old Man River.” “I know this is Franklin,” Edwards said, teasingly. “Do we have any Motown fans here? I mean any real Motown fans?” If so, he said they would recognize the next few early Temptations songs, including “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” “Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to you, we had so many hits,” Edwards said. He noted that Motown writer Roger Penza-
bene, who wrote a song that became a hit and was one of The Temptations’ most emotional and mournful — “I Wish It Would Rain.” Edwards said Penzabemne “was like many of us — he was in love with a woman” who rejected him. Sadly, Penzabene committed suicide on New Year’s Eve 1967 because of the misery he felt over the breakup described in the song, Edwards noted. Edwards’ Temptations Review then launched into a heartfelt and extended rendition of “I Wish It Would Rain,” in which the group added a jam, as well as having the crowd participate. At that point, Edwards noted that four of the “classic five” Temptations “are no longer with us,” including Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks and that his group aimed to honor them through the show. (Otis Williams, who still performs with his group that holds The Temptations name, remains the sole orginal). “Some of y’all may have seen a TV miniseries special on The Temptations and, even though it was very, very, very, very good, it was made for television,” so some parts were dramatized. Edwards noted that when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he felt “very lucky” to be included with the “classic five.” He added, I remember when I joined The
Temptations in 1968 — I was a very young lad from the inner city (of Detroit). I replaced the great David Ruffin” as the lead singer. During his first rehearsal with the group, Edewards said he felt overwhelmed, but he said the late Paul Williams “took me under his wing” and said he would help him in every way possible to be successful with the group. To that end, Edwards said he is proud that Williams son, Paul Jr., is a member of his group today. As for the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts and Franklin, Edwards said, “This is a real nice place. Y’all have a nice secret” scenic mountain hideout — and he urged the crowd to keep the center and Franklin secret, to avoid spoiling the area. Edwards also told of some medical issues he suffered recently, but that he did not let them from keeping him from performing in Franklin. He also said another group member just had had knee surgery, but nonetheless was on his feet, giving his all for the concert. The group then did a medley of “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “Stay,” before returning to a final refrain of “My Girl.” The crowd cheered, applauded and asked for an encore, to no avail. Afterward, the group — as announced — showed up in the lobby to sign autographs and chat with fans.
14 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
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Thursday, Sept. 6
VARIETY COMPETITION, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 George Rd., Franklin. A variety competition, “Who’s Got Talent,” will feature local singers, dancers, musicians, variety acts and more. For tickets, which are $7 for adults, call (866) 2734615. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
Friday, Sept. 7
AMY GOODMAN TALK, 7 p.m., Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech, Asheville. Journalist Amy Goodman, host of the national radio show “Democracy Now!” will speak. The event is a fundraiser for MAIN-FM radion station, which carries Goodman’s show. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for students. BOOK PRESENTATION, 7 p.m. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Author Janisse Ray will present her book on seed-saving, “The Seed Underground.”
Saturday, Sept. 8
GREEN PARTY MEETING, 10 a.m.-noon, upstairs, Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., Asheville. The Buncombe County Green Party will hold its business meeting, which is open to the public. URBAN PLANT WALK, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Center for Holistic Medicine, 779 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. The Fifth West Asheville Urban Plant Walk. Participants will learn about the medicinal and edible plants growing in the sidewalks, gardens and wild spaces in downtown West Asheville. The cost for the walk is $5 for adults and free for children. CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8 p.m., outside Firehouse Subs, 825 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville. Sound Investment will perform during a free dance-concert. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs. MAYA CULTURE PERFORMANCE, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theater, Pack Place, downtown Asheville. “Palenque Rojo: Mayan Passion, Music, Dance and Myth” will be presented by Chiapas, Mexico, a sister city to Asheville. The performance focuses on the Maya culture. The show also will be performed at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 in DWT. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. OUTDOOR FILM, 8:30 p.m., Wedge Brewing, 125-B Roberts St., River Arts District, Asheville. The film “E.T.” will be shown outside for free. Attendees are urged to bring a lawnchair and a blanket. Admission is free.
Sunday, Sept. 9
JAZZ CONCERT, 3 p.m., St. Matthias Church, 1 Dundee St., Asheville A vocal jazz concert will feature Miachel Jefry Stevens on piano and Rockell Scott on vocals. They will perform jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin, Erroll Garner and other noted composers. A free-will offering will be taken for the artists and for the restoration of the historic church.
Monday, Sept. 10
TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Lone Star Steakhouse, Arden. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend. MOVE TO AMEND MEETING, 7 p.m., RE Commons, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. Move to Amend Buncombe County, a grassroots organization with the goal of ending corporate
Don Williams will sing classic country during a 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 concert at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. personhood, will hold a meeting open to all. WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.
Tuesday, Sept. 11
TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., Eleven on Grove, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance. SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance. SHAG DANCE, 7-10 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.
Thursday, Sept. 13
AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION, 7 p.m., chapel, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Matthew Crawford, author of “Shop Class at Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work,” will give a free presentation. Crawford is a research fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. Crawford’s New York Times bestseller brings alive an experience quite common, but not receding: making and fixing things. Drawing on his own background as an
electirician and mechanic, Crawford makes a case for the intrinsic satisfactions and cognitive challenges of manual work. JOHN TESH CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., The Foundation Performing Arts Center, Isothermal Community College, 286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale. John Tesh and his Big Band Orchestra of 14 performers will play favorite big-band tunes. will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $34 and $39, call (828) 286-9990 or visit www. FoundationShows.org. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
Friday, Sept. 14
BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL, 4 p.m., Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Blowing Rock. Celebrated beach bands Chairmen of the Board and The Embers will play beneath the starry skies of the 6,212acre community. The Embers will open the concert at 6 p.m., followed by the Chairmen at 8 p.m. Food and beverages will be sold on-site, but attendees may brimg their own. Tickets, which are $28 per person, are available by calling the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at (828) 295-7851.
Saturday, Sept. 15
CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., Town Square, Biltmore Park, Asheville. The Cheeksters will perform in a free outdoor concert. Admission is free. DON WILLIAMS CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 George Rd., Franklin. Classic country singer Don Williams will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $29-$36, call (866) 273-4615.
John Tesh and his Big Band Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Foundation Performing Arts Center in Spindale.
Sunday, Sept. 16
ETHICAL SOCIETY MEETING, 2-3:30 p.m., Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd., Asheville. Katie Hicks and Jenny Marienau will present a program titled “The Fossil Fuels Industry, Water Justice and Climate Change: The Case of Natural Gas Development in North Carolina.” A discussion period will follow the presentation. After the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation.
Monday, Sept. 17
TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Lone Star Steakhouse, Arden. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend.
Monday, Sept. 17
WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.
See CALENDAR, Page 16
Margarita Mondays — 1/2 off all Margaritas All Day Every Monday
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 15
16 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
Continued from Page 12
Monday, Sept. 17
WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.
Tuesday, Sept. 18
TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., Eleven on Grove, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance. SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance. SHAG DANCE, 7-10 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.
Thursday, Sept. 20
CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
Friday, Sept. 21
PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 George Rd., Franklin. The Christian trio Philliops, Craig & Dean will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $15-$20, call (866) 273-4615.
Monday, Sept. 24
TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Lone Star Steakhouse, Arden. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend. CANDIDATES’ FORUM, 6:30-9 p.m., Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech, Asheville. The League of Women Voters will hold a meet and greet for countywide offices and a forum for the chair. WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., Eleven on Grove, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance. SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance. SHAG DANCE, 7-10 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.
$48995 Nicholas Sparks, author of “The Shallows: What the Inernet Is Doing to Our Brains,” will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech in Asheville. His talk is being hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne University’s new Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville.
Saturday, Sept. 29
CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8 p.m., outside Firehouse Subs, 825 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville. Tom Brown One-Man Band will perform during a free dance-concert. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs.
See CALENDAR, Page 17
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Bob Lawrence Power Equipment Co. Inc. 265 Broadway, Asheville • 828.252.3561
Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sat., 9 a.m.-noon
Asheville Tea PAC Events Saturday, Sept. 22nd: N.C. 11 and Senate 49 Non-Partisan Forums N.C. 11: Hayden Rogers (D) and Mark Meadows (R), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Senate 49: Senator Martin Nesbitt (D) and R.L. Clark (R), 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Audience Q & A. Meet and Greet state and local candidates from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Skyland Fire Department, 9 Miller Rd., Skyland FREE ADMISSION • www.ashevilleteapac.org
Thursday, Sept. 27
CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
Friday, Sept. 28
AUTHOR’S TALK, 7 p.m., Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech, Asheville. “An Evening With Nicholas Carr” will be presented by the LenoirRhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. Carr, author of “The Shallows: What the Inernet Is Doing to Our Brains.” Admission is free.
Saturday, September 29th:
Machine Gun Social Fundraiser for Asheville Tea PAC’s iCaucus-endorsed Constitutionally Conservative candidates
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sponsored by Bear Arms Indoor Range, 1653 Rosman Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712 and P.F. Custom Guns. $25, $35 and $50. Includes Jet’s pizza and drinks.
www.ashevilleteapac.org
taught by Buddhist teacher Sharon Lovich, addressing relationships with family, friends and co-workers through guided meditation and discussion. The cost is $8 for the general public and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Faith Notes Send us your faith notes
Please submit items to the Faith Notes by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via email, at spirituality@ashevilledailyplanet.com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for a faith event, call 252-6565.
Friday, Sept. 7
FAMILY NIGHT GALA, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Rock Church, 273 Monte Vista Rd., Candler. Adventure Rock Family Night will include inflatables, pizza, ice cream, face-painting and door prizes.
Saturday, Sept. 8
RUMMAGE SALE, 8 a.m.-noon, Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Rd., Asheville. A rummage sale will be held by the church. Donations will be accepted, but no furniture or clothes. YARD SALE, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Church of the Redeemer, 1201 Riverside Dr., Woodfin. A event will feature yardsale items, baked goods and a hot dog lunch for $3. BLESSING EVENT, 2-4 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A program on a new book titled “Sacred Symbols From the Avatars” will be used in facilitating blessings from the Avatars. The book contains blessings, activations and intiations rom the Avatars, through the forms of 21 sacred symbols. The books is billed as an experiential journey for a quantum transformation of consciousness. Admission is $20. SINGING, 6:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Church, 50 Woodland Hills Rd., Asheville. A “Singing on the Hill” will be held. Food will be available. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs. Admission is $15.
Sunday, Sept. 9
CELEBRATION SERVICE, 11 a.m., Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 56 Walton St., Asheville. The church will honor the Rev. John W. Brewster for 24 years of service. The guest speaker will be Dr. Haywood Gray, executive secretary of the North Carolina State Baptist Convention. LIFE CLASS, 7-8:30 p.m., Montford Books & More, 31 Montford Ave., Asheville. The class “Home Life, Spiritual Life: Making Life at Home More Meaningful” will be held on Sundays through Sept. 16. Drop-ins are welcome to any class meeting. The series is being
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QUANTUM TOUCH PROGRAM, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Pam Hurst will present an introduction to quantum touch; how it came about and how it works. Quantum touch will be offered to anyone who asks for it. A love offering will be taken.
Thursday, Sept. 13
TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Lone Star Steakhouse, Arden. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend. CANDIDATES’ FORUM, 6-8 p.m., Pack Library, 67 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. The League of Women Votes will hold a forum for Buncombe County Commission District and North Carolina House District 114. BEEKEEPERS MEETING, 6:30 p.m., Groce United Methodist Church, Asheville. The Buncombe County Beekeepers will meet. WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held. CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.
TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., Eleven on Grove, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance. SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be
Tuesday, Oct. 2
TRUTH ON TAP, 6 p.m., Mezzaluna, downtown Hendersonville. Join Unity for a pub chat on matters
spiritual and otherwise. The event is billed as “a great way to socialize as we explore the twists and turns of our spiritual paths.” A love offering will be taken.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
ANIMAL BLESSING, 6-7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. In the tradition of St. Francis, along with other animal-friendly world religions, the Rev. Chad O’Shea will hold a service to bless each animal brought to the church — outdoors, weather permitting. All well-behaved humans and their animal companions are welcome. A love offering will be taken.
INDOOR YARD SALE, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1008 Newfound Rd., Leicester. The church will hold an indoor yard sale.
Friday, Sept. 14
SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The UU Social Justice Film for September is “Under Our Skin” and runs for 104 minutes. It is billed as “a gripping tale of microbes, medicine and money. ‘Under Our Skin’ exposes the hidden story of Lyme disease, one of the most serious and controversial epidemics of our time.” According to the film, thousands of cases go undiagnoses or misdiagnoses each year. It claims patients often are told that their symptoms are all in their heads. The films follows the stories of patients and physicians fighting for their lives and livelihoods, bringing into focus a haunting picture of the health-care system “and a medical establishment all to willing to put profits ahead of patients.” Admission is free.
Saturday, Sept. 15
BARBECUE FUNDRAISER, noon-6 p.m., St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1 School Rd., Asheville. A barbecue fundraiser will be offered with meals at $10. In addition, takeout is available by calling 258-0211 or e-mailing www.stgeorgeashnc.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 19
SOUND HEALING MEDITATION, 7-9 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Triciia McDonald will lead a sound event designed to facilitate higher states of consciousness, an individual’s oneness with all life and these mountains, the waters and one another. Attendees are asked to bring a blanket/towel and pillow to be comfortable lying on the floor during part of the service (optional). A love offering will be taken.
Thursday, Sept. 20
WOMEN’S EVENT, 7 p.m., Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Rd., Arden. BBC will host The Gathering,
Events
Monday, Oct. 1
Tuesday, Oct. 2
Wednesday, Sept. 12
Asheville Daily Planet — February 2012 — 17
a women’s event featuring fellowship, worship and encouragement. At 6 p.m., dessert and coffee will be served. For tickets, which are $5, call 687-1111 or visit www.biltmorebaptist.org. PRAYER CLASS, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. The Rev. Pat Veenema will lead a six-week class, beginning Sept. 20, on “How to Pray Without Talking to God.” A love offering will be taken.
followed by a dance. SHAG DANCE, 7-10 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5. MUSICAL COMEDY, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 George Rd., Franklin. The musical comedy “Smoke on the Mountain” will be presented. The production will continue at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 9, 12, 16, 19 and 23. For tickets, which are $15 for adults and $10 for students, call (866) 273-4615.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
AUTHOR’S TALK, 7 p.m., 2nd-floor board room, Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. LR-U will present “An Evening With Andrrew Bowen.” Bowen, for whom theology is a playground, is billed as a perpetual student and champion of inter-religious peace and reconciliation. Admission is free. FRACKING PRESENTATION, 7:15 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Travis Hargett and Ken Brame will discuss “Fracking: Dirty, Dangerous and Run Amok” during a Sierra Club meeting. Also featured will be state legislative updates.
Saturday, Oct. 6
CONCERT, 7-9 p.m., Town Square, Biltmore Park, Asheville. Tuxedo Junction will perform in a free outdoor concert. Admission is free.
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18 — September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Daily Planet’s Opinion
Everything is beautiful?
As usual, Asheville-area business leaders were presented with a cheery interpretation of the still-rather-sorry state of the local economy. The remarks — as always, accentuating the positive — were provided by economists James Smith and Tom Tveidt at the 13th annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook on Aug. 24 in downtown Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. The event was offered by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Coalition — and the main host was Parsec Financial, for which Smith is the chief economist. While it laudible that the chamber’s EDC made the effort to hold the event, which was preceded by “networking” with hors d’oevres, and Parsec (a local wealth management firm) helped to pay the bills (along with other hosts), we won-
der how useful it is — year after year to hear economic updates loaded with positive spin. Surely, there must be real or imagined pressure on Smith, who is nationally — if not internationally — recognized for his skills as an economist, and Tveidt, president of the local firm SYNEVA Economics and a former Asheville chamber official, to provide rosy messages of hope, along with accurate forecasts, at such forums. That these “happy talk” forums are becoming a bit of a lark to the business community was shown by the paucity of questions after the presentations. For the sake of balance, we think it would better serve the business community to include a third economist who is also reputed for accuracy, but who holds a decidedly more somber view of what is going on — and the possible catastrophic ramifications.
The Candid Conservative
Batman’s a conservative
Whatever you do, don’t let the Aurora Colorado murders stop you from seeing the latest Batman movie. “The Dark Knight Rises” is one of the best this year. As Super-hero flicks go, it may be the best ever – especially if you’re a conservative. That’s because the conservative pillars of reality, reason, responsibility, and right are also Batman’s pillars. Mirroring yesterday’s America, the action begins with denial and the illusion all is well. Mirroring today’s America, denial then shifts to despair as the good guys lose their way and the bad guys very much find theirs. Hopefully mirroring tomorrow’s America, men decide to be men, fight back, and prevail with acts of courage that are, frankly, inspiring. Yours truly got kidnapped into taking a seat at this Batman movie. I walked out feeling I’d just met a reincarnation of John Wayne. That our hero was dressed like a bat was incidental. Batman’s a conservative.
Fear makes us fat
You’ve seen the commercials on a pill that’ll melt away fat. Following the left’s model of mascot enticement, the hook predictably responds to our avoidance of personal responsibility. The declaration, “It’s not your fault – it’s cortisol!” is music to the ears, but poison to the body. Anyone who doesn’t patrol their health, fitness, and weight is heading for a cliff. Weight problems come from eating more calories than you burn. All the rest, with rare exception, is just seasoning. So why do we do it? Certainly we eat to reduce stress, but do you know what the stress mostly is – fear. That’s why most cops are overweight and our culture is making obesity a national pastime. Food tastes good, but bulk makes you feel more powerful. You may not look sexy or be able to run, but there’s physical power in mass. Want to lose weight? Figure out what you’re afraid of, resist eating as a stress reliever, and burn more calories than you take in. Fear will make you fat.
Being young and dumb
There are many blessings that come with youth, but wisdom isn’t one of them. America’s youth may be well schooled in technology, political correctness, and the latest “thugs are us” rap release, but when it comes to living in a dangerous world, most
Carl Mumpower don’t have a clue. Consider a brief inventory of the traps they’ve stumbled into in recent years. For starters they’ve been asleep at the wheel while we baby-boomers and today’s self-serving politicians have loaded them up with an astounding burden of debt. They’ve accepted loans from schools that’ve, in turn, provided them with an education rarely connected to feeding oneself. They’ve embraced the fantasy of government as a benefactor, but ignored the reality Uncle Sam is just as likely to abuse as protect. They’re gullible swap of the lies of crony capitalists for the bigger lies of crony politicians is remarkably naive. Young plus dumb equals danger and a call to start paying attention.
Sexualizing our daughters
By now you’ve probably noticed a trend in America – we’re obsessed about sex. So obsessed in fact we’re willing to sacrifice our female off-spring to our warped cultural model. Sorry America, it’s just not possible to build a healthy culture by training your girls to be toys and your guys to be little boys. That path to darkness ends with a lot of angry women and selfish, immature men. Girls are getting an especially bad deal in our twenty-first century. No, we do not hide them behind burkas. What we do is display and reveal them as cute and sexy little Barbie dolls. For proof, check out Victoria’s Secret – would you believe these folks have a marketing strategy for children? Given a choice between a sexy doll and a modest doll, 70% of the 6 year olds in a recent study identified with the sexy doll. Women civilize our crazy world. Programming children to think of themselves as pleasure objects is a great betrayal of their gifts. Shame on you, America. • Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@thecandidconservative.com
Letters to the Editor Women’s freedom to bare breasts? Its worth preserving
City Council shouldn’t let Carl Mumpower and Chad Nesbitt bully them into taking away another freedom from women. It’s hypocritical enough that the same people who usually rant about too much “nanny state” regulation are now demanding the government protect them from being aroused by the sight of female breasts. But by caving to these political publicity-seekers and calling on state legislators to suppress women’s equality in this way, Council is simply making the situation worse. What till now has been an attention-getting stunt staged by the Raelian cult could henceforth balloon into topless protests organized by principled libertarian Ashevillians angered by governmentenforced prudery. It wasn’t long ago that many towns banned miniskirts because the sight of women’s bared legs supposedly incited lust and divided the community. All such bans succeeded in doing was to make Daily Planet Staff Photo wearing a miniskirt a fashionable and easy way A young woman talks with attendees of the Go Topless rally on Aug. 26 in downtown Asheville. to defy authority. Moreover, for the lians decided it isn’t recruiting enough conRaelians, public female breast-baring is a verts. (This year’s attendance was already religious practice (see http://en.wikipedia. down from last year.) org/wiki/Raëlian_beliefs_and_practices). But taking away a right from all Outlawing this nonviolent, nondestrucAsheville women just because one relitive act simply because some people find gion’s exercise of it stirred controversy it objectionable would violate the First disrespects the people of Asheville, and Amendment’s prohibition against governcould provoke a backlash that will, in turn, ment interference with religion. just generate yet more publicity for our two Avoid stoking the fire, and the annual local right-wing exhibitionists. topless rally would fizzle out on its own Steve Rasmussen once locals got bored with it and the RaeAsheville
Tasteless topless rally termed affront to basic decency The recent topless rally in Asheville is almost as egregious as the city officials granting permission to allow such degrading, inappropriate behavior in the downtown area. While I did not attend, there are reports of children and young teens in attendance being exposed to the debacle of women displaying partial frontal nudity to the catcalls, lewd comments and touching/fondling from some in the crowd in the name of equal rights. It seems absurd to hold a rally in protest to something already legal, which to many, should be illegal on all accounts. I cannot imagine eating a fine restaurant in Asheville or attending a Tourists’ game and worrying if children or grandchildren might be exposed to someone who wants to show up topless as it is legal, after all. This tasteless behavior is an affront to families everywhere and must be ended immediately. What is Asheville thinking?? This behavior brings discomfort, confusion, and degrades women on every level. In protest of this insanity, a boycott movement is occurring in the outlying communities that provide Asheville with financial profits to this fair city. Perhaps if enough of citizens from Bre-
vard, Waynesville, Pisgah Forest, Hendersonville, Mills River, and others spend our money elsewhere, change will occur. I cannot imagine with the unfortunate economical hardships facing many Americans that Asheville would want to lose significant revenue from decent citizens who are within equal driving distance to Greenville, S.C. Remember, many of us support doctors offices, restaurants, shopping centers, breweries and other places that provide many jobs and income for your citizens. It is my hope that all citizens will see the danger in allowing such a rally to occur again. Unless those of us who favor decency and morals will take a stand, it is highly possible some will begin to accept other inappropriate behavior (such as public urination, full frontal nudity for all, and coitus) and begin to plan time to travel to Asheville to watch a public “pissing” contest or bring our children to watch overt sexual acts by the water fountain. As for my family, we will spend our money elsewhere and will encourage family and friends to vacation anywhere but Asheville. Terri Locke Pisgah Forest See LETTERS, Page 19
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012— 19
On the left
The incredible shrinking city
Cities aren’t what they used to be. Depending on where you set your baseline, that’s mostly good news, coupled with some very difficult financial problems that will need solution. Some of the issues are emergent, that is, they are caused by demographic and economic changes over which government has very little control. Others are the direct result of public policy. For example, Asheville has been monkey-wrenched twice by the North Carolina General Assembly: the Sullivan Acts prevent the city’s charging a higher water rate to non-residents, removing what is, elsewhere, a huge incentive for voluntary annexation. Last year our legislators unhelpfully rendered involuntary annexation impossible. While involuntary inclusion is often seen as unfair, the truth is some shade of gray. Residential communities around the City expand due to proximity to city jobs and amenities. Asheville experiences the largest day/night population shift in the state, thanks to commuters, shoppers and students. That means Asheville taxpayers are footing the bill for roads, sidewalks, parks and emergency services for 40,000 people who don’t contribute their share. Some argue that out-of-town shoppers pay their way in sales tax, which avoids the obvious truth that city dwellers also shop in the city. But the behaviors and trends that escape government guidance are more potent, and largely positive. Consider the attraction of downtown living. Post-war America built autos in factories that had ramped up to build munitions for WWII. Jobs were plentiful, wages were rising. White flight took hold and city neighborhoods were left to poorer and darker skinned citizens. Shopping malls drove another nail in the urban coffin. Stores followed wealthier customers into the countryside, building vast parking lots for four-wheeled shoppers. That picture is changing fast. Downtown living became cool again. The glamour of sitting stationary in a flashy ride in rush hour traffic wore thin. Empty warehouses and office spaces were repurposed as highend condominiums. Inner cities came alive. Anyone who’s lived in Asheville since the 1970s has witnessed a mind-blowing transformation. Then came higher gas prices. The cost of commuting began to offset lower property taxes in the sticks, making more people reconsider suburban life. In pre-Great Recession America there was still enough wealth and enough allure to continue building 4,000 square foot dream homes in
Cecil Bothwell gated havens out yonder. That all came to a screeching halt when Wall Street’s robber barons crashed our economy. The upcoming Buncombe County revaluation is going to be a real eye-opener, because if home sales are any indication we’ll see a reduction in valuations in the County and significant increase in valuations downtown. Moreover, this is only a shadow of what’s to come. The Millennial generation—the folks who came of age in this century — are different. In 1985, customers between the ages of 21 and 34 purchased 38 percent of new cars sold, in 2010 that was down to 27 percent. The portion of teenagers with a driver’s license fell by 28 percent between 1998 and 2008. Surveys of Millennials show that smart phone ownership is considered more important than car or home ownership. Many Millennials would rather use public transportation and live in apartments or shared dwellings, with car use available through ZipCar and other shared vehicle companies. (Note that ZipCar started in 2000, when gas was $1.50 a gallon. It has grown by leaps and bounds as gas prices jumped. Smart phones make car sharing and transit use more accessible.) Millennials want to live in walkable, human-scale cities with a diversity of urban amenities. Can you say “Asheville?” All of which leads me to make a bold prediction based on additional counsel from one of the smartest financial wizards I know. The just-opened parking garage at 51 Biltmore is going to prove to be a terrible mistake. It was the wrong 21st century answer to a 20th century question. The citizenry is changing, electronic commuting is a commonplace and on the rise, gas prices are going to hit $5 in the not distant future and our next generation is streamlining socialization via Twitter and the Web. The successful shrinking city is going to need better transit, and Asheville won’t have the money to make it happen. For $15 million we should have built a trolley • Cecil Bothwell, a member of Asheville’s City Council, has been a Buncombe County resident for more than 30 years.
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Letters to the Editor Continued from Page 18
Long-time bookstore, its workers still missed
Sept. 19, 2012 will be the first anniversary of the closing of one of the best bookstores in Asheville — BooksAMillion. I and others are still angry over this closing. This bookstore was there for 20 years, so what gives? I hope those who worked there have jobs and are happy. I and others want you to know that we miss you and also thank you for all your service and respect to all customers. I wish I could thank you all in person, but you seem to have left the planet, as I ahve not seen any of you around. Take care. You are great people. Doug Marion Marshall
Innovations fire up hopes for U.S. education system
Terry O’Keefe’s recent column (in the Asheville Citizen-Times) has given me hope that someone is radically changing our education system for the better. Using technology and thinking outside the box, our educators might make progress moving into the 21st century ... years after business discovered better ways of doing things. For the last 50 years, our educators have called for more money, more teachers, and smaller classes with no measurable improvement in public schools. Whenever an idea like charter schools, vouchers or virtual classrooms came up, there was resistance from the public educa-
tion system. Ideas threatening the tenure or seniority system and NEA membership giving control to parents and students was anathema to educators. This revolutionary concept from Gene Wade, and Sebastian Thrun using the Internet to expand opportunities to students, results in a significant cost savings (and a significant reduction in teachers). They can hire only the best teachers and pay them well, unencumbered by administrative bureaucracy. All of this work is being done in a private education environment. Allyn M. Aldrich Asheville
See LETTERS, Page 20
LETTERS The Asheville Daily Planet invites Letters to the Editor of 200 words or less. Please include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address. For more information, call (828) 252-6565. Send mail to: Letters, Asheville Daily Planet P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, NC 28814 Send e-mail to: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com
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20 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Plane
From the right
Impact of film ‘2016: Obama’s America’? By RON KAUFFMAN
teapartyhendersoncounty@gmail.com
HENDERSONVILLE — When I heard that author Dinesh D’Souza was doing a film, having read his book, “The Roots of Obama’s Rage,” I decided to see it, and did so in Greenville, S.C., on its opening night, Aug. 17th. The first hour of the 85-minute film was a well-documented biography tracing Barack Obama’s childhood days in Kenya, Indonesia and Hawaii, through to his university days and his election as president. The film included interviews and film clips featuring Obama, his friends and family at different periods of his life. I heard, in both his father’s words and his own, Obama’s philosophy and acquired hatred of colonialism. It helped me understand that Obama’s acceptance of that philosophy precluded his becoming anything or anyone but the type of person he is today. That philosophy was drilled into him by some very strong father-figures, men who filled the void after Obama’s father died, and continued to influence Obama well into his adulthood. The movie’s central theme dealt with the underlying hatred Obama developed for nations who, during their history, had colonized countries such as Kenya, Indonesia, India and Hawaii. His grandfather, father and subsequently mentors like avowed Communist Frank Marshall Davis and Jeremiah Wright, deeply ingrained the idea that nations like Great Britain and the United States had gained their wealth at the expense of these colonies. Obama believes to this day, that was a wrong that must be righted. Obama thinks that the price for having
Dinesh D’Souza (left) interviews interviews George Obama, President Barack Obama’s brother who lives in a hut in Kenya, in the film “2016: Obama’s America.” The two Obama brothers have sharply differing political philosophies. After the film was released, D’Souza reported that George Obama called him asking for $1,000 to help cover some medical bills for a son who was ill. After confirming the illness, D’Souza said he asked George, “Why are you coming to me? He said, ‘I have no one else to ask.’ Then he said something that astounded me, ‘Dinesh, you are like a brother to me.’” extracted that wealth must, at some point, be brought back into balance, and the way to do that is by diminishing the power and wealth of the colonizers. He wants to compensate those countries from whence that wealth had been “stolen,” and his goal is a worldwide leveling of the playing field.
He’s already begun this - taking from the rich nations and giving it to the poor — by subsidizing oil exploration in Brazil, but prohibiting it in America. He sees this type of economic punishment as justifiable and as a requirement to achieve his philosophical goal. The movie’s final 20-minutes conclude with predictions about where Obama, if re-elected, will likely take our nation in his next four years. The basis for these is predicated on what President Obama has previously written, stated, attempted and actually done in his first term. One thing is very clear; President Obama does not want America to ever again be considered as an exceptional nation. He makes it quite obvious that he would prefer America, the world’s only current superpower, be diminished and brought down to an economic and military par with nations like France, Italy and those of the Middle East and Africa. Ultimately, “2016: Obama’s America” increased my fear about his true agenda. I left the theater thinking, “I love this country and hold dear the values that prevailed when I grew up in the 1940s and ‘50s. I cannot stand by and allow Obama to complete his plans to implement the philosophy that he’s brought to the White House, forcing America to abrogate its world position of leadership, military might and economic prosperity.” • EDITOR’S NOTE: Ron Kauffman is chairman of the Henderson County TEA Party, which gave away 100 tickets to the film immediately before its Aug. 24 opening at Epic Theater in Hendersonville. Locally, the film also opened on the same date at Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15 in Asheville.
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Letters to the Editor Continued from Page 19
U.S. motives questioned in tripling foreign arms trade
Source: NPR and other media outlets... and the Pentagon! The United States was the biggest provider of weapons to other countries, last year. In terms of how much money it moved, it tripled its 2010 purchases and moved $66.3 billion worth of arms. Russia, by the way, was the second biggest seller with $4.8 billion in agreements. The USA now provides THREE-QUARTERS of all the arms trade on the planet. And they gave Obama the Nobel Peace Prize?? We NOW sell three times as much weaponry as two years ago. Of course, jobs in those military-industrial sectors are soaring (Boeing for example). Proud of this? Steven Chase Boone
After NYC incident, it’s guns, guns, those terrible guns! Thank God we don’t live in NYC. Only this morning (Aug. 24) a lunatic, laid off a year ago, decided to shoot someone in downtown New York City. Mind you now that NYC has the strictest gun control laws in the country thanks to the Sullivan Act unconstitutionally imposed more than 100 years ago in 1911 in the wake of a notorious Gramercy Park blueblood murder-suicide. Poor innocent
New Yorkers! This morning, New York’s doofus mayor Bloomberg related how the shooter shot his victim three times with his .45 Auto (it’s so AUTO it almost shoots by itself with no help from the shooter). Then Bloomberg explains how a citizen who followed the shooter several blocks and, en route, identified the shooter to police. The cops, catching up to the shooter, unloaded upon and killed the shooter, blasting 9 other innocent bystanders in the process and sending them to local hospitals. If gun laws in NYC were like those in Texas and many other states and cities in the U.S., the “perp” would have been downed by a bystander — no harm to innocent bystanders. GEORGE DANZ Flat Rock
EV proponent says his view misrepresented on freedom
I appreciate your coverage of my recent talk on electric vehicles, photovoltaics, and the power grid, but I must correct one glaring misrepresentation of my views: My comments on independence and interdependence were in response to a question about “preppers” anticipating the total collapse of the electric grid, not about transportation choices. I don’t worry about losing my freedom to drive sports cars, or about being forced against my will to ride the bus or carpool, because such coercion is extremely unlikely.
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A customer recharges a Nissan Leaf 100 percent electric car. Over 200 million American drivers own over 250 million vehicles. We love our cars. Even here in liberal Asheville, anything remotely resembling automotive prohibition would be political suicide. Improved funding for transit and sidewalks is not a first step onto some slippery slope toward Stalinist restrictions on driving, no matter how much politically overheated wind shrieks otherwise. Absent another elective war in the Middle East, all four of the necessary steps toward sustainable transportation (VMT reduction, better vehicle usage, powertrain electrification, and distributed PV) will be taken voluntarily, by individuals, at our own pace. Dave Erb NCSU Engineering Programs at UNC Asheville Asheville EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Planet stands by its story, but appreciates Erb’s expanded views on individual freedom. See LETTERS, Page 21
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 21
‘Slicker than that’ in Madison County
Commentary
Obama termed far superior to Romney on foreign policy In 416 B.C, Athens sent a huge armada to conquer Sicily. A cakewalk was expected, but through gross miscalculations, they were defeated. Their democracy was overthrown. Sparta occupied Athens by 404 B.C. And their Golden Age ended. Athenians listened to Alcibiades and others who pushed them to take an aggressive foreign policy, and they paid dearly. There’s a lesson here for us. Mitt Romney doesn’t have personal beliefs on foreign policy like, for example, Ronald Reagan had. In this campaign we’ve seen him bounce around from position to position on everything from healthcare to abortion and back again. He’s likely to go where his advisers take him ─ and Romney is surrounded by people like AlcibiBarack Obama ades. Today we call them neoconservatives. Since the Iraq debacle, they’ve been quiet. But now they’re in positions of influence in the Romney foreign policy team. The Wall Street Journal observed: “Veterans of George W. Bush’s administration pepper the (Romney) team, including Cofer Black, a former CIA official and executive at the controversial private-security firm Blackwater USA.” Back in May, Colin Powell said: “I don’t know who all of his advisers are, but I’ve seen some of the names and some of them are quite far to the right, and sometimes they, I think, might be in a position to make judgments or recommendations to the candidate that should get a second thought. For example, when Governor Romney not too long ago said, you know, the Russian Federation is our number-one geostrategic threat. Well, c’mon Mitt, think. It isn’t the case.” In the 21st century the U.S. has fought two wars. Both had grand objectives
Lee Ballard that the Bush administration sold to us as worthy uses of American power and resources. Neither has worked out as they said. Neocons tend to see cakewalks, like Alcibiades did. If Romney wins, we would not only get the same economic team that brought us the Great Recession, we’d also get the same team that brought us the Iraq War. Super-hawk Dan Senor, who spun rosy tales of an Iraqi democracy in the early months of the Iraq War, traveled with Romney to Europe this summer. Dick Cheney and George Bush are gone, but their advisers and disciples remain. This is not a time for war hawks. We don’t know exactly what Romney means when he says he’ll prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, for example, but we hear what his neocon advisers are saying. Mitt Romney Polls show at least 60 percent of Americans are now against the war in Afghanistan, one (Fox News) had 78 percent. Romney will not discuss his foreign policy views, even when asked, so if he is elected, we could wake up and find a return to a Bush-era world view ─ something completely against the will of the people. Obama has shown wisdom in his foreign policy. His reactions are measured. His intuitions are to form alliances. He has been a success. Barack Obama is the better choice on foreign policy. • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.
CHAPEL HILL — “Amazing,” I told my friend the other day. “Three of this year’s best North Carolina novels are set up in Madison County, just north of Asheville along the Tennessee line.” “Interesting,” my friend said, but his eyes were glazing over. He wanted to talk politics, not books. Still I continued, “And in each of them the county sheriff is an important character.” My friend perked up. “Was his name Ponder?” I explained the sheriff characters in these books were fictional and all different. He said that it would be hard to make up a more interesting character than E.Y. Ponder, who was elected Madison County sheriff in 1952 and served, with one fouryear interruption, until 1986. I told him that it would be hard to be more interesting than the sheriff characters in the three new books. In Ron Rash’s “The Cove, ” Sheriff Crockett, although a minor character, is part of an interesting episode in which he and his hounds are chasing a mountain bootlegger. The bootlegger takes off his shirt and wraps it around his own dog. The dog runs in one direction, the bootlegger in the other. The sheriff and his hounds, following the bootlegger’s scent on the shirt, chase the dog and lose the bootlegger. The action in “The Cove” takes place during World War I. “A Short Time to Stay Here” by Terry Roberts takes place in the same county during the same time period. However, the sheriff has a different name, Roy Robbins. Robbins is bad to the core. He takes advantage of girls and abandons them when they become pregnant. He conspires with bootleggers and other criminals and with certain German internees who are detained in a hotel in Hot Springs. The Madison County sheriff in Wiley Cash’s “A Land More Kind than Home” is as good as Roy Robbins is evil. Sherriff Clem Barefield thinks of himself as an outsider in Madison County even though he has lived there for 25 years. Part of the story is told in Barefield’s voice. Cash has him tell how he faces the novel’s villain, Pastor Carson Chambliss, a handler of snakes and a manipulator of
D.G. Martin
people, who seems willing to do anything, including killing anybody who gets in his way. Sheriff Barfield faces him down again and again, finally at the novel’s bloody conclusion. “So,” I said to my friend. “What do you think of these three sheriffs of Madison County?” “E. Y. Ponder would be a better character than any of the three,” he said. Maybe my friend is right. Elymus Yates Ponder and his brother Zeno dominated Madison County political life for almost a half-century. Critics called them dictators. Friends sung their praises. Those of us who want to understand the complexities of small town North Carolina politics could learn from the Ponders about the mixture of public service and power that we call politics. John Ledford, currently in the news as North Carolina’s Alcohol Law Enforcement director, previously served as Madison County sheriff. In a 2001 interview with Rob Amberg in the Southern Oral History Program Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill, Ledford said that people called him “the little E.Y.” Describing the challenges a sheriff in Madison County faces, Ledford alluded to the time King Solomon threatened to cut a baby in half to settle an argument between the two women who claimed be the mother. “In Madison County,” Ledford said, “half the people would say, ‘Saw it up,’ and they’d start fighting over who got the head or the feet. That wouldn’t work in Madison County. You’ve got to even be slicker than that.” “Slicker than that,” whether you are the real or a fictional sheriff in Madison County. • D.G. Martin hosts UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch, which airs at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays.
Letters to the Editor Continued from Page 20
Conservatives called good-but-misinformed EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letter to the editor, which appeared in the the Asheville Citizen-Times on Aug. 10, is reprinted here because of its relevance and by permission of the author. • A friend I respect surprised me with this: “I’m a conservative, and as I read your columns, you think conservatives are bad people.” His criticism was disturbing to me. I write columns and letters to make people think. If I offend people, I defeat my purpose. Conservatives are good people, especially conservative Christians. No question about that. But they are misinformed, terribly misinformed. Too many of them read, watch and listen to people ─ the bad people in this context ─ who sacrifice truth and sanity in their war on Barack Obama.
Agenda 21 and world government. Obama’s schemes to cancel the election and establish dictatorship. “Personal freedom” through extreme capitalism. Global warming a hoax. Non-stop nonsense. And Obamacare. For goodness sake, the Obamacare model was born in the conservative Heritage Foundation (Google “wall street journal obamacare’s heritage”) and pushed by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s (WSJ piece has Romney-Gingrich debate quote). Conservatives loved the personal responsibility the plan requires ─ until it was proposed by Obama. Then it became a plot to take away our freedom. I’m sad that so many good people believe the bad ideas and distortions that are circulating around today. That’s why I write. LEE BALLARD Mars Hill
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22 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Bacteria sampling set in contaminated French Broad River By MELISSA WILLIAMS
Western North Carolina Alliance
Bacteria pollution in the French Broad River watershed is prevalent, but largely unmonitored and therefore unresolved. Bacteria impairment in area streams usually means sewage or animal waste is reaching the stream. This is a significant health concern as it can make humans very sick and seriously harm aquatic life. Despite the importance of understanding bacteria pollution, knowledge regarding its distribution has barely begun to scratch the surface. For example, more than 15 percent of the impaired streams in the French Broad Watershed are damaged due to bacteria pollution; however the real problem comes from the 75 percent of streams that are unmonitored. In one study, the North Carolina Waste Discharge Elimination Program reported that more than 10 percent of homes are illegally discharging bacteria into waterways. As a result, the French Broad Riverkeeper devised and implemented a monitoring program on the Swannanoa River to determine whether bacteria impairment exists. The first phase focused on the Swannanoa River watershed, because it’s such a
Western North Carolina Alliance French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson takes water samples to monitor bacteria contamination in the river. frequently used stream for recreation and was believed to be affected by bacterial
West Nile Virus
Continued from Page 1
In the Buncombe County area, “we can say we’ve had West Nile Virus before because we had it back in 1999,” Morrison noted. Specifically, medical authorities determined that “we had birds test positive for West Nile Virus and we’ve (recently) had (human) cases in five different counties in North Carolina ... We’ve seen it in 48 states.” She said it is “hard to predict” whether WNV will turn into a major epidemic in North Carolina, or if it will just be something to watch for closely. “It only takes one bite” from one infected mosquito to infect someone, Morrison noted. “Right now, we’re monitoring what’s happening” with WNV in the Buncombe area. “We’ll see if this will continue.” When pressed about the possible ramifications of the virus, Morrison said, “In disease control, I’d say this is important ...” She
said WNV is among the diseases that she is reporting and “it’s an emerging threat” because of the potential number of people who could be afflicted with the virus. As for her advice for Buncombe residents and visitors, she noted, “To reduce risk, avoid mosquito-breeding grounds. Anything that would hold water, within reason.” With a laugh, she said if someone has a bird bath or dog water bowl, dump them out every few days, and refill them. However, Morrison said “kiddie pools and old tires” are classic breeding grounds for mosquitos. She suggested draining and refilling the kiddie pools every few days and disposing of old tires. When one goes for a hike, “wear long sleeves and long pants,” she suggested. “Use DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide)” insect repellent for exposed skin. “Some people want to use natural products,” but she noted it is important to avoid exposing young children to some products.
“People havea good bit of control to what they’re exposed to,” in a reference to personal responsibility, Morrison said. Meanwhile, Gaylen Ehrlichman, media coordinator and health promotion program supervisor for the BCHD, said on Sept. 4 that the closest North Carolina WNV cases to Asheville have occurred in Forsyth and Mecklenburg counties. “We would be the first confirmed mountain (WNV) case,” if the suspect case tests positive, she added. Further, Ehrlichman said BCHD experts had told her that because of the mild winter in the area, “it probably didn’t kill off the mosquito population” as it usually does “and, mix in the rain, and you have a bigger mosquito population — and you’ll (potentially) have more cases” of WNV. The West Nile Virus came from the West Nile District of Uganda and has since spread to the U.S., Erlichman noted. For more details, Erlichman referred the Daily Planet to the Center for Disease Con-
pollution. More than 550 samples were taken in the watershed, with 42 percent of the samples sites exceeding North Carolina’s water quality standard, and therefore being classified as high risk. Several sources of this impairment were indentified and have been eliminated. In other cases, a long-term fix is being determined. To build on the success of this monitoring program, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has funded a second phase of this work to identify the sources of bacteria impairment in the French Broad River. The French Broad River is listed as an impaired stream for bacteria contamination by the state of North Carolina, from just after the City of Hendersonville to the Long Shoals Road Bridge. Initial samples taken in and around the French Broad River by the airport confirm the state’s listing for high levels of bacteria in the river. This sampling will continue every Wednesday to track the sources of the impairment and begin work to eliminate sewage and bacteria pollution to the French Broad River. Interested volunteers should contact French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson at hartwell@wnca.org or (828) 258-8737.
A bite from a mosquito infected with West Nile Virus could be fatal. trol website, which stated that “West Nile Virus has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to public and animal health, the most serious manifestation of WNV infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. WNV has also been a significant cause of human illness in the United States in 2002 and 2003.”
Daily Planet Staff Photos
LAAFF provides offbeat fun, music The annual Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival drew thousands of people Sept. 2 to downtown Asheville. The gala is billed as full of
music, food, art games, freaks and fun. At left, a dragon moves down the street with the crowd. Above, the Broadcast band performs.
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 23
Topless
Continued from Page 1 Newman then told the crowd that there are “several things I want you to do,” but then only noted one project — filling out petitions that she said will be presented to the White House, “so women don’t have to be afraid” to go topless in public. Next, she read an open letter to City Council from Sony Pitts that criticized it for taking a stand against the topless rally. She contended that, “if nothing else, Asheville is renowned for its friendly stance on civil rights.” The letter noted that going topless in public is legal in North Carolina, including Asheville, but “it is still extremely controversial and ... even dangerous.” Further, the letter stated that “acclimitization” will occur “when the day comes where I can walk around topless” in Asheville “without anyone bothering her.” Several Asheville firetrucks racing out of the nearby firehouse interrupted Newman’s reading of the letter, as their sirens wailed. At that point Newman said, “It is important for women to feel free ... Free your breasts, free your mind,” she urged. Acknowledging that nearby men were lined up, asking topless women to pose for a picture with them., she said, “Until women feel the right to be free, yes, men will shoot pictures of two breasts.” In response to conservative critics, she said, “And yes, they are family-friendly ... So little children, walking around, seeing breasts have no more effect than the man on the moon” on them, she contended. “Why did I have to come all the way from Florida?” she asked. “Because nobody locally wanted to lead this ... We need to change those ideals .... Feel free to live that dream.” She said people will evolve where women going topless is commonplace. “One hundred years ago, men would run down to the train station to get a glimpse of a woman’s bare ankle,” Newman said. “One day, this whole planet will be a parade filled with happy individuals,” she asserted. “You know, women, don’t be afraid to take your tops off. “I think this is still a red state. I don’t think it’s a blue state. Keep your rights ... This is not a moral-values issue. It’s an equal-rights and constitutional issue.” Newman also praised the women in nearby Pritchard Park, who were holding an equal-rights rally — with their tops on. The second — and last — speaker, Jeff Johnson, who obtained the permit for the
Donna Newman, topless, checks her notes as she addresses the crowd. rally, said, “My mission is equal rights for all people.” While he is not a Raelian, Johnson, who lives in Huntsville, Ala., said, “I’m for equal rights everywhere on the planet.” He spent much of his talk railing against what he termed Asheville’s widespread corruption, extending from City Council and the Asheville Police Department, to the local news media. With tongue in cheek, Johnson said, “I don’t want to have to come back here” next year.” He also noted that “we picked this day (for the rally) because its National Women’s Day.” He ended by saying, “Breast-friendly? Yes. I want you to have fun.” Unlike last year, there was no march, just mainly women walking around topless, often posing for pictures with men upon request. Others had their breasts painted by artists in attendance. In an interview with the Daily Planet after her spech, Newman said, “We’ve (the Raelians) got people protesting (for topless rights) all over the United States, including today at the White House. “As I’ve said, as women, we’ve always had to fight for our rights.” She added that “I was a little disappointed” in the turnout. “I would have hoped there would be more women” at the rally. “It’s not about sexualizing women, it’s about unsexualizing women’s body parts.” As for Asheville, the Miami resident said, “I think it’s a cool little city.” Meanwhile, Johnson, in a separate interview with the Daily Planet at the rally, said, “The turnout’s been great,” noting that “it’s been 1,000 or 5,000 people ... In the beginning, I was a little concerned” by the low initial attendance. As for women, he said, “There were a lot more women than before,” in an apparent reference to last year’s turnout. Regarding Dr. Carl Mumpower, who along with Chad Nesbitt, has led the local cosnervative opposition to the rally, Johnson said, “I think he’s a nut and he’s a nut who takes action on his beliefs. I like people who take action.”
Daily Planet Staff Photos
A topless young woman, sporting a cowboy hat, teases the crowd behind a wooden cutout of rally opponent and conservative Carl Mumpower. In the background a young man holds one of three crosses that were positioned at the parameters of the two-hour rally near its end. He also said that his wife, a Huntsville pediatrician, “doesn’t like it (his involvement in Asheville’s topless rally) and feels offended by it.” Why did he choose Asheville at which to sponsor a topless rally? “Because it’s legal here,” he replied. “This is the nearest legal city (for toplessness)” from his home in Huntsville. He said that he was escorting two young topless women on Patton Avenue during a street festival April 16-17, when he saw “a superior — with an officer in training — showing how to be a corrupt policeman.” While he said four policemen surrounded him and the two women he was escorting, “they did not arrest us.” He said he now is going through the complaint process. As for the future, “I’ll probably come next year” to the topless rally in Asheville. “I’m not a Raelian, but the things they do, I agree with. I guess I’m an agnostic. I don’t have any (religious) beliefs.” So are the efforts of local conservatives to pressure him by drawing attention to his wife’s pediatrics practice in Huntsville affecting him and his family? “Oh, no. It’s not really affecting anything,” he said. “My wife is not happy with it. We don’t agree. She knows I’ve always been a civil rights activist.” Johnson noted that, in 1964-65, he fought for civil rights for blacks in the South. As for now, Johnson said, “I’m not an activist. I’m an advocate,” meaning he will fight only “up to the law.” Returning to the subject of Mumpower, Johnson said, “I’m befuddled ... I’ll be glad to meet with him. He has strong beliefs
Topless rally organizer Jeff Johnson tells of his concerns about widespread corruption in Asheville. — we just are fighting on opposite sides. I respect anyone who fights for his beliefs.” Since he had expressed much outrage in his speech about Mayor Bellamy’s stance on the topless rally, what would be his message to her? “Mayor Bellamy, I’m very dissapointed in you ... Without fights for civil liberties, blacks would still be in the back of the bus.” Johnson expressed frustration that the mayor “ignores police corruption.” In summarizing his feelings toward Bellamy, Johnson said, “I couldn’t be more disappointed” in her.
Conservative duo files topless rally complaint to N.C. attorney From Staff Reports Local conservative activists Chad Nesbitt and Dr. Carl Mumpower sent a “complaint regarding Asheville topless rally on Aug. 26” to N.C. Attorney Gen. Roy A Cooper on Aug. 31. The duo had started a Go Topless opposition website, GoBrainless.org, and encouraged people to shoot photos at the rally, showing misbehavior by its participants. Their slogan in opposing the rally is “topless, shameless and lawless — Asheville’s sexual street party is over ....” In their complaint, they stated that “last year, we contacted your office regarding the failure of Asheville city and police administrators and the Buncombe County Department of Social Services to enforce state law at the 2011 topless rally. We provided pictures and other evidence. We did not hear back from you.” The complaint further states, “This year, there was a repeat. Although attendance was 10 percent of last year, those who came were enthusiastic. There were 14-plus police officers in attendance — more than the number of topless women participating. Please note the pictures below illustrating performance in a public space and in front of minors. Please let us
know if we may provide additional information. We are also including references to state statutes.” Also on Aug. 31, the duo filed a “complaint about lack of enforcement at topless event — followup” with Lt. Sean Pound of the Asheville Police Department. The complaint with the APD states that “evidence of sexual performance at last Sunday’s Asheville topless rally continues to surface. This photo (which was attached) identifies a female participant uplifting women — or at least two parts of one woman. This is sexual performance, but evidently not of a sort the five gawking men in the background find attractive.” The complaint added, “We continue to be baffled by how 14-plus police officers (outnumbering the number of female participats in the event and paid for by city taxpayers versus the event promoter) could stand by and pretend this is legal in a public park and in front of children. We would appreciate it if you would add this picture to our original complaint.” On Aug. 29, Nesbitt and Mumpower sent a topless rally complaint to Asheville City Council, the city manager and APD chief, stating, “Just when it seems that we can step away from the dirt this event has brought to our city, another outcome from your lack of responsible action pops up. Today, we
received a picture and video illustrating sexual performance during the topless rally on Sunday. “Attached, please find a complaint we would like to file against officers in attendance for their failure to act and enforce the law. It would be our suggestion that the political paralysis is a far greater detriment to police morale than calls for accountability. That 14 officers (a number greater than those women who exposed themselves) would fail to note the action (there are others) and act reveals indifference, impairment or performance issues.” Just prior to the topless rally, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported that several North Carolina cities have ordinances that prohibit women from exposing their breasts in public. The cities include Raleigh, Wilmington and nearby Waynesville. In the aftermath of the AC-T revelation, City Attorney Bob Oast was asked by City Council to look into drawing up such an ordinance for Asheville, with Cecil Bothwell casting the only “no” vote, saying toplessness is not a problem to him. Council also issued a statement before the rally, expressing opposition to it and asking local legislators to lead an effort to change state law. “We should be outraged that people from outside our community are coming here to do this,” Mayor Bellamy said.
24 — September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
The bride and zoom
I’m in love, and I just said yes to marrying the man of my dreams. We’ve only known each other for two months, but we’re in the Peace Corps. You really see the core of a person when conditions are not so comfy. We’re planning on traveling home to get married on our next monthly break. (We get two days off.) Afterward, we’ll have a big celebration back here with all our local friends. My best friend’s begging me to slow down, but my parents married two weeks after meeting, and that worked out. Marrying now feels very romantic and like the most right thing I’ve ever wanted to do. What’s wrong with saying yes to romance? — Excited It’s easy to find a lot in common with a guy when you’re both living thousands of miles from home: “Wow — you live in a mud hut?! I live in a mud hut! You have a hole for a toilet? I have a hole for a toilet!” This could very well be the voluntourism version of two 14-year-olds deciding they’re the second coming of Romeo and Juliet because they like EXACTLY THE SAME MUSIC AND MOVIES! Eventually, the 14-year-olds hit their 20s. (Life in one’s 20s, like life back home, includes a few more complexities.) A mutual obsession with geeksta rap suddenly matters lots less when one turns militant vegan while the other has problems with hunting, but only because she prefers her meat already killed, skinned and cooked, and delivered to her with a side of asparagus on fine china. You say you’re in love, but it’s the part of love that can’t be trusted — the infatuation stage. (Say “hi” to your hormones, because they’re in charge here.) Anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher and her colleagues found that infatuation correlates with a surge in the neurotransmitter dopamine, and Fisher told Psychology Today that infatuation shares elements of a cocaine high — “sleeplessness, loss of a sense of time, absolute focus on love to the detriment of all around you.” In other words, getting married now is like signing a binding lifetime contract while on an extended coke bender. It doesn’t help that the human brain is like a grabby toddler, prone to go for immediate rewards without weighing the consequences. Later, it comes back around and does the adult job of justifying all of its unwise choices. For you, even the absurdity of marrying somebody you barely know becomes a justification: “I’m not an idiot; in fact, I’m bright! So marrying somebody I just met isn’t idiotic; it’s romantic!” You also turn your parents’ marital impulsivity into precedent. Guess what: They were dumb — and lucky. They turned out to be compatible, as you two may — or may not — two years from now, once you’re back in the land where chicken is something sold in shrink-wrap, not something that hops across your head at night. Waiting to get married doesn’t preclude you from throwing a party. Use those two days back home to invite your friends to celebrate with you, to witness you experiencing the joys so many of us take for granted — hot showers, doing laundry in a washing machine, and encountering enormous bugs, but only the kind that come with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Gone with the Schwinn
I’m a 31-year-old guy, a part-time model, newly single, and scared to talk to women. Yesterday, I saw a beautiful woman checking me out at Whole Foods. I didn’t know what to do, so I unlocked
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
my bike and rode off. This happens maybe three times a week. — Getting Ridiculous The roof of Whole Foods will not open up while you’re shopping, and a beautiful woman will not fall into your cart and say, “Oh, wow — I’ve been waiting for a man like you to take me home and smear me with cruelty-free peanut butter.” Sadly, this means you’ll need to approach a woman, open your lips and make words come out about something she’s wearing, doing or carrying: “Kelp steaks! They’re even better than the tofu T-bone!” The way to get comfortable doing this is by actually doing this. For two weeks in a row, give yourself a weekly quota: You have to make moves on 21 women you’d be interested in dating — three per day — even if it takes going out expressly to find women to hit on. If you fall short one day, make it up the next. Come up with a punishment, like giving $50 to charity, should you fail to meet your weekly number. Every woman you talk to isn’t going to go out with you, but you’ll certainly get more dates than you do with your current strategy: “A beautiful woman is looking at me! Quick, unlock the bike and speed away!”
Just tasing the women
A work buddy swears that if he’s kind of mean to women, they want him way more than if he’s respectful and nice. Seriously? I’m no wimp, but I wouldn’t know how to treat women like this and am kind of afraid to start. — Han Solo Women just love it when a man pulls the chair out from under them or leans over and says, “Shall I compare thee to a box of Summer’s Eve?” The notion that you can “neg” a woman — insult her into bed — comes out of the Pickup Artist community. In “The Game,” Neil Strauss explains the neg as an “accidental insult” meant “to lower a woman’s self-esteem while actively displaying a lack of interest in her -- by telling her she has lipstick on her teeth … or offering her a piece of gum after she speaks.” “Accidentally” demeaning a woman into bed is a more successful scheme than trying to flatter her there, but it’s still a scheme and one plenty of women are now on to (marking a guy who uses it as loserville). If your first impulse isn’t to lick a woman’s shoes in hopes of making her like you, maybe the secret is not having a secret but being comfortable with yourself and letting women see that you’re warm, interesting, and fun to talk to. Unfortunately, this will leave you with a far less amusing “how we met” story for your future children than “Well, kids, I told your mom she had a fat ass, and the rest was history.” • (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 — September 2012 — 25
Temptations
Continued on Page 16 Overall, Edwards said, “It (the miniseries) was done well ... I cried and cried” when he watched it. “There were so many good things that we did that should have been included,” but Edwards said drama and conflict instead were emphasized. As for the scene with him and Terrell, he said firmly, “That never happened ... First of all, me and David were best of friends ... I was one of his best friends ... I watched him go downhill (on cocaine). He thought the drugs were helping him.” ADP: You were friends with Ruffin — what qualities did you like about him? (In the miniseries, Ruffin was presented in a very negative light.” What did you think about your first Temptations’ concert as leader singer back in Detroit, when, at the end of the show (according to the miniseries), Ruffin grabbed the microphone from you to sing “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg?” Did that really happen? What about Ruffin allegedly saying to the group members who were angry with his unauthorized performance, saying about you, “He ain’t me! He ain’t David Ruffin! Without David Ruffin, The Temptations ain’t nothin’!” Given that you were closest to Ruffin in the group, did that particularly hurt? Were there other instances of Ruffin — after being fired from the group — jumping on the stage during concerts, grabbing the microphone and singing?” EDWARDS: Contrary to the scenes in the miniseries, Edwards said that “it was always the last song of the show — ‘My Girl’— and David would come down (out of the audience) and sing it.” Edwards said Ruffin would dash onto the stage and he would voluntarily turn the microphone over to his good friend — “and the others guys (in the group) would get so mad” at both him and Ruffin. One evening, according to Edwards, the group decided to rehire Ruffin and to release Edwards, but Ruffin quickly created such a ruckus that he was fired and Edwards was rehired to rejoin the concert tour before he could fly out the next morning. Regarding Ruffin, Edwards said, “David once told me, ‘You’re so liucky — you had a Mom and Dad. My Mom left me and Jimmy on the curb’” as kids in Whynot, Miss. (Research on Ruffin by the Daily Planet found a different story — one in which his mother died just months after his birth, and
WCQS
Continued on Page 5 The station also said in its response that it is now in compliance with rules for receiving support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In response to a request from the Daily Planet for WCQS’ reaction to the FCC decision, Evans on Aug. 21 emailed the following statement to the newspaper: “The FCC has renewed the broadcast license for WCQS-FM and its translator stations in Clyde, Cullowee, Sylva, Brevard, Hazelwood and Black Mountain,” Evans noted. “We are extremely pleased with the FCC’s decision,” she said. ‘For 30 years, WCQS has brought NPR (National Public Radio) news and information, classical music and local programs to the people of Western North Carolina. We take this responsibility seriously and are gratified with the FCC’s decision.” Evans noted that in the past two years, WCQS has increased staff reporting on regional issues and concerns. “We did this because our listerners asked for it and
Daily Planet Staff Photo
Dennis Edwards flashes a smile during a break from signing autographs after his group’s Aug. 31 concert at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts in Franklin.
his father, a Baptist minister, remarried a schoolteacher, keeping the family together. However, Ruffin’s father reportedly was violently abusive. His father had Ruffin singing with his siblings and other family in a gospel group from a young age, which served as a launching pad for his career. “He (Ruffin) was a hard worker. He was a nice guy,” when he was not on drugs. “He didn’t have a strong family structure — and lacked support,” Edwards said, noting that Ruffin was fired from the group for repeatedly showing up late for rehearsals, shows — and sometimes not showing up at all. ADP: How do you feel about Otis Williams, the group’s founder and leader? In the miniseries, he referred to you as a “great singer — and a lot less trouble than David had been?” Yet, he hired and fired you three times from the group. EDWARDS: “Otis, to me, was the glue of the group ... I love Otis. Even today, the fact that he and I are the only two (from the
group’s glory days) left living” makes their relationship special. ADP: What about Berry Gordy, the former head of Motown Records — do you like him? What did you think about him moving Motown Records to Los Angeles and then selling the company? Some have said this was a betrayal of all that he had done in Detroit. How did you see it? What did you think about Motown’s shift from love songs to socialconscious message songs? Did you feel that was a bad move, too? EDWARDS: “I think Berry Gordy was a genius.” He said most singers and musicians were not good businessmen. “We just wanted to sing.” As a result, early in the careers of many artists before they joined Motown, they sang under contract for 2-1/2 cents per song. “He (Gordy) gave us that opportunity” to realize their dreams, while also making good money. “He had a great, great ear for picking talent. He wanted the music” to appeal to all Americans. “It’s not black music — it’s just music — and that’s what makes it great.” Edwards spoke of his joy in singing lead on such Temptations hits as “Cloud Nine,” “Psychedelic Shack,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Shaky Ground,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Runaway Child, Running Wild” and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today).” (The group won Grammys for “Cloud Nine” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”) “We thought (social consciousness songs had played their course,” so the group “came back to love songs with ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” Edwards said. ADP: Was the miniseries scene accurate, just before the recording of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” between you and songerwriter-producer Norman Whitfield? Were the lyrics coincidental, as you were quoted in the miniseries — “It was the third of September, the day my Daddy died” — that that actually was the day YOUR father died? Or was Whitfield getting back at you for some real or perceived slight? In the same scene, did Whitfield really respond to your passionate anger by saying, “Use it. Ain’t that what artists do?” When you then asked what you ever had done to
Daily Planet Staff Photo
Radio station WCQS-FM is based at 73 Broadway St. in downtown Asheville because we believe that knowing what’s happening in Cherokee, Franklin, Hendersonville or Burnsville is just as important as knowing what’s happening in Asheville. Clearly, so does the FCC.” WCQS and its translator stations serve
more than 80,000 people in 12 counties, Evans said, adding that it is governed by an 18-member volunteer board of directors, with input from a 20-member Community Advisory Board that reflects the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
him, did he say, “You lacked passion” in your singing. “Now you’ve got some?” EDWARDS: “My father was a minister and my mama was a churchperson. I had a good upbringing.” He said the lyrics struck him as “so ironic” because his father had died on the third of October, so Edwards felt the lyrics struck close to home — and what’s more his father was a good, steady, religious family man ... and anything but “a rolling stone.” In truth, Edwards said, “Norman was an eccentric ... he just didn’t know.” #7
Can I draw Social Security if I have never worked full time?
Yes.
If you are unable to work at any job for a period of twelve (12) months or more AND meet financial need guidelines, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI or Title 16). SSI is a program of the Social Security Administration that provides benefits to individuals who have not worked on a full time basis. Even if you have worked in the past, you might be eligible for SSI. Children and divorced individuals may also qualify for Social Security programs even if they have not worked enough quarters to qualify for regular SS disability. You should consult a qualified lawyer to understand the all the different types of Social Security programs you might be eligible for.
26 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet
Wrestler Chad Allegra lifts a Japanese model Kiko onto his shoulder in a promotion.
Ex-Reynolds sports star makes name as wrestler Chad Allegra, a former threesport star at A.C. Reynolds High School near Asheville, has made it big as a professional wrestler — performing under the name Karl “Machine Gun” Anderson — and currently working steadily under contract in Toyko, Japan. His mother is Raina Allegra of Fairview and his father is John Allegra of Myrtle Beach, S.C. He attended Fairview Elementary school and graduated in 1998 from Reynolds High, where he played baseball, football and basketball. Allegra went to Mars Hill College from September 1998
“Machine Gun” Karl Anderson (right) smacks a Japanese wrestling foe in the face with his foot.
through June 2000. He played baseball at Mars Hill. He moved to Cincinnati in August 2000, where he attended wrestling school. Allegra and his girlfriend Christine Bui live in Cincinnati with their two boys, Caedon, 2, and Cylus, 8 months. He got the name Karl Anderson through his association with Anderson Brothers wrestling family of Minnesota. His machine-gun move triggered his nickname. In 2012, he defeated multi-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, arguably the biggest win of his career.
A sign promoting an upcoming match featuring Karl Anderson is posted on the side of a subway car in Tokyo.
Chad Allegra, dressed in a suit and tie, performs his classic “machine gun” move, from which his wrestling nickname is derived.
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2012 — 27
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Asheville Tea PAC’s iCaucus-Endorsed Candidates Need Your Vote In November! iCaucus is — Individuals connecting to replace special interests and party politics with citizen-led representation
www.iCaucus.org
Dan Forest, Lieutenant Governor Ed Goodwin, Secretary of State Mike Causey, Commissioner of Insurance John Tedesco, Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Meadows, N.C. 11 U.S. House RL Clark, N.C. Senate 49 Jim Davis, N.C. Senate 50 Chris Whitmire, N.C. House 113 Christina Kelley Merrill, Buncombe County Commissioner, District 2 Paid for by Asheville Tea PAC and not by any candidate or candidates’ committee
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28 - September 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet