Buncombe County Commissioner Chair Nathan Ramsey and his challenger for the spot, Vice Chair David Gantt, kept the tone mostly civil in a forum earlier today, but also exchanged barbs about each other’s records on the Parkside controversy, zoning and taxes.

While Stewart Coleman‘s controversial Parkside condominium project remains in flux pending a court decision, City Council on Aug. 26 took action on another piece of property behind Coleman’s that could one day become the site for a mixed-use development, the centerpiece of which would be a long-sought state-of-the-art performing-arts center.

On her blog, Husband Wanted, Mari Ainsworth puts out a cyber-call for a mate.

This week, Bar Beat is featuring some of the tastiest beverages in town for these last weeks of summer. 

Here’s a preview of the upcoming edition of Mountain Xpress.

After more than two hours of argument from attorneys representing the Pack heirs, developer Stewart Coleman and Buncombe County, Judge Marlene Hyatt announced that she would closely review the case’s documents before coming back with a ruling on the legality of the Parkside land sale later this week.

Highlights from the August 19 work session.

Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler says he will cast his superdelegate vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton when the Democratic National Convention holds its formal roll-call vote Wednesday night.

The Buncombe County Democratic Headquarters was vandalized last night, and Xpress has received an e-mail from a group taking credit for it.

This morning, Judge Marlene Hyatt announced that she would delay a summary judgment hearing on the lawsuit against the controversial Parkside land sale until 2 p.m. today.