http://www.mountainx.com/ en webmaster@mountainx.com Copyright 2013 Sat, 18 May 2013 20:32:07 -0400 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/vote_for_your_favorite_everything Before you check the accuracy of your calendar and wonder what happened to the year, fear not! It truly is May. You haven’t been hibernating. We moved the Best of WNC from October to August and the time to vote is now! As spring leans toward summer and the days grow longer, we’re offering twice as many categories to match the abundance of the season, and the brilliance of what makes life in WNC the best. Two times the categories, you ask? Just about. We gleaned suggestions and ideas from wherever passion, creativity and community pride could be found. But don’t worry — you don’t have to vote for all of them, just what you care about the most. The days may be longer, but still ... You only have to vote for 25 categories (and you know you’ll want to vote for at least that many). We revamped the poll entirely, so it’s easier to use than ever. You can s… 2013-05-07T22:18:24+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/some_people_dont_like_it_and_some_people_like_it._its_like_everything The hard-touring, hard-living Felice Brothers opened for Josh Ritter at The Orange Peel on Monday. In advance of their rowdy set, Ian Felice and Josh “Christmas” Clapton talked to Xpress about a recent fundraiser, mixing electronics with acoustic instruments, playing dates with The Killers, and a possible collaboration with Judy Collins. Video by Jesse Hamm. 2013-05-18T18:27:14+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/the_howlin_brothers_video1 Nashville-based roots trio The Howlin’ Brothers played The Grey Eagle last weekend. They performed a version of “My Dog Can’t Bark” for Xpress during soundcheck. Read an interview with the band here. Video by Jesse Hamm. 2013-05-18T17:11:12+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/five_questions_with_james_mccartney Singer-songwriter James McCartney is currently in the midst of a 47-date U.S. tour in support of his new album, Me. The record is McCartney’s first full-length, though he has previously release of two digital-only EPs, Available Light and Close At Hand. But he’s not exactly new to music: he played guitar and drums, and cowrote some songs on his father’s solo albums, including Flaming Pie in ‘97 and Driving Rain in ‘01. And yes, his father is that McCartney (James’ mother is Linda). James McCartney’s tour brings him to The Altamont Theatre on Tuesday, May 28. Risa Binder also performs. 8 p.m., $15. In advance of that show, James talked to Xpress about playing Coachella, his favorite U.S. tour stops, and the connection between music and visual art. Mountain Xpress: You started your curre… 2013-05-18T15:20:56+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/asheville_city_council_tentatively_endorses_budget_plan_uncertainties_remai While noting that much of its fate remains in the hands of the state legislature, at a special meeting this morning Asheville City Council gave staff the go-ahead to start drafting a budget based on a plan that assumes the city and county may consolidate their parks and recreation operations by January. The plan also includes a 1 cent per $100 property tax increase — from 42 cents to 43 cents — to maintain the same level of revenue. While decreases in local revenue due to a state overhaul aren’t as dire as originally predicted, city staff still anticipate a $1 million loss. A parks and recreation authority would save the city $5 million. The plan also calls for increased infrastructure spending beginning in the summer of 2014, either using those savings or a 3 cents per $100 tax increase. “There’s a lot st… 2013-05-17T17:10:33+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/calcast_may_17-19 The CalCast podcast brings together a wide array of festivals, events and benefits each weekend. Take in some electronic music by Shueh-li Ong (pictured) and many others at the Asheville Electro-Music Festival, stop by the Twin Rivers Media Festival and honor our country’s veterans this weekend. Podcast hosted by Ms. Amandi of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio. 2013-05-17T17:03:51+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/making_all_the_right_moves_josh_ritter_and_the_orange_peel Photographer Rich Orris (all photos in this post are his) noted, early in the Josh Ritter show at The Orange Peel, that Ritter is one musician who makes everything instantly better. And it’s kind of true. Not that Ritter has the power to mend a broken heart or heal the sick or anything like that. But the way he takes the stage with a huge grin, the way he looks so genuinely happy to be there, the way he insists it’s going to be such a fun night and the way he seems to get more energetic, more smiley, more raucously happy as the show goes on — if that doesn’t cure what ails you, it’ll at least make you forget for a couple of hours. Ritter started the show solo with “Idaho.” When he reached the line, “Ain’t no wolf … 2013-05-17T16:36:39+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/public_pools_set_to_open_soon As the weather heats up, soon there will be more options to cool down. The city of Asheville and Buncombe County will open public pools on Memorial Day weekend. In addition to open swimming, a variety of lessons, games and exercise classes are available. With tough budget decisions ahead, there’s been talk among Asheville officials that some pools would have to be shut down to save costs. But as the June 30 deadline to finalize the budget draws near, it looks like city pools will be open for the summer. See details on the city and county pools’ locations, operating hours, and other information below, via local government websites. City of Asheville Swimming Pools Three outdoor pools are open June through mid-August and offer relief from the heat at Recreation Park, Malvern Hills Park and Walton Street Park. A variety of swim lessons, water games and exercise classes are available. Pools are locate… 2013-05-17T12:52:24+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/smart_bet_web_extra_the_honeycutters_two-night_stand Local Americana band The Honeycutters has been working at a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for what will be the band’s third studio album. Click here to read about the band’s project and the breakdown of recording costs. In the bid, the band writes, “We gain momentum with every show, every new fan, every record sold. We’re well aware that we are able to do what we love because of you, the music lover. The best way we know to express our gratitude is to keep making music!” They’ll be doing exactly that this weekend with two (two!) shows during a residency at Isis. (Xpress will give away a pair of tickets to each show — details on how to win at the bottom of this post.) Those performances are: &#… 2013-05-16T15:20:24+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/this_weekend_on_a_shoestring776 Thursday, May 16 • Interested in catching some classical music without paying a high admission price? The Pan Harmonia chamber music series, whose mission is “to share great music with audiences of all ages,” will host a free open rehearsal in UNCA’s Reuter Center. 7 p.m. Info:  251-6140. • “The time is near for one of the most iconic symbols of a summer vegetable garden,” begins a calendar entry on the Small Terrain website. “Come learn about all things tomato in preparation for this year’s crop. Whether you’re transplanting your seed starts or seeking information on which varieties to take home to your garden, this workshop will help you understand how to cultivate healthy, productive and d… 2013-05-16T13:00:00+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/msd_board_approves_budget_readies_for_legal_battle Passing a new budget resolution and agreeing to hire additional legal counsel were the two top items at Wednesday’s meeting of the board of the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County. The preliminary budget for the public agency, totaling roughly $40 million, must be presented in advance to the Local Government Commission of North Carolina. The final 2013-2014 budget approval will take place at the board’s June meeting. The numbers reflect a $16.7 million capital improvement investment in line with the agency’s business plan, and a 2.5 percent rate increase for domestic users — also in line with the agency’s forecasts. “The methodology that MSD uses,” explains Tom Hartye, general manager, “ is not to do erratic rate increases, but to do small, incremental ones.” The 15-year business plan for year… 2013-05-16T04:24:35+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/locals_advocate_for_public_education_disagree_with_pending_state_legislatio As dozens of young children played in downtown Asheville’s interactive water fountain, more than 50 adults criticized state legislation they say could jeopardize the future of educators, North Carolinians and the lives of the children playing in the nearby fountain. “The folks running state government in Raleigh now, when they talk about public education,  they talk about cuts, slash, burn and end — not about what we can do to make a difference. Make no mistake, our dedication to public education is on a downward spiral,” says Bob Etheridge, a former congressman, legislator and state superintendent of public instruction. Etheridge has been sharing this message across North Carolina as part of a statewide tour for the grassroots group, Public Schools First NC. (The Asheville event was the fifth stop.) “The problem is more than money. To be frank with you, it’s about the quality of the bad ideas coming o… 2013-05-15T21:44:29+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/051513getting-to-the-roots As far as fresh produce is concerned, Cera McGinn and Mallory McCoy want to see more people living hand to mouth — putting the seed in the ground and nurturing it until the last bite has been taken. The pair are co-owners of Ramble and Root, a consulting and installation service for do-it-yourself, organic vegetable landscaping. The duo recently wrote, illustrated and published a book, Reviving Homegrown, as a beginner’s guide to organic vegetable gardening (complete with an optional gardening kit). “In our grandparents’ generation everyone had a garden — that’s how you sustained yourself,” says McGuinn. “Why not do that now to provide for you and your family?” “Our grandparents and great-grandparents — that’s not that many generations ago,” McCoy interjects. “For [home gardening] to be be lost in a 60-year span is outrageous.” As part of the… 2013-05-15T19:59:22+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/strive_not_to_drive_bike_tour_highlights_multimodal_infrastructure Photos by Max Cooper Cycling advocates guided local elected officials on a bicycle tour of Asheville, highlighting recent infrastructure improvements and encouraging progress to continue. The May 13 ride was part of the Strive Not to Drive campaign to promote multimodal transportation, which continues with events throughout the week. Participating officials included Mayor Terry Bellamy; city council members Gordon Smith, Cecil Bothwell, and Esther Manheimer; Buncombe County commissioners Brownie Newman and David Gantt; Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger; and city manager Gary Jackson. Despite facing a severe budget crunch this year, Jackson told participants the city will continue to try to fund construction of infrastructure such as bike lanes and greenways. “We’re going to fight like hell to get more in this year’s [budgetar… 2013-05-15T15:35:55+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/council_announces_delay_in_water_system_takeover_passes_energy_financing Tonight, at a relatively brief meeting, Asheville City Council: • Heard from city staff that a judge in Wake County has granted the city a temporary restraining order against a new state law that would forcibly transfer the water system to a new authority and the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Council approved a lawsuit last week, asserting that the legislation is unconstitutional. The order lasts for ten days while the city’s lawyers seek a more lasting injunction as they pursue their legal case. If the order wasn’t approved, the city would have had to transfer the system tomorrow, May 15. • Approved 6-0 a $1.1 million from TD Bank for ener… 2013-05-14T23:46:22+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/x_marks_the_spot_commissioners_approve_incentive_deal_to_mystery_company Photo by Caitlin Byrd Buncombe County commissioners unanimously approved offering an undisclosed company $18.38 million in economic incentives May 14. The county agreed to spend $15.7 million on land acquisition and facility construction, and give the mystery company an additional $2.68 million in cash grants. In exchange, the company — referred to as “Project X” in documents and discussions — would invest about $126.67 million into the local facility and create 52 new jobs, paying an average wage of $40,000 per year. In addition, the company would agree to continue employing an unknown number of current local workers; the “total amount of jobs impacted would be more than 760 positions,” according to the resolutions passed by commissioners. One of the resolutions also states that Project X informed the county that if it doesn’t provide the requested incentives, it wouldn’t make the propose… 2013-05-14T23:02:27+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/local_environmental_controls_likely_to_be_whittled_down_by_regulatory_refor It’s nine pages long with the short title “Regulatory Reform Act of 2013.” But given its contents, Rich Ducker of the UNC School of Government calls Senate Bill 612  “a real Christmas tree of a bill – all sorts of things hung on it.” “I guess the name of the bill gives a decent hint of what the framers had in mind who developed the bill,” says Ducker, who is an associate professor of public law and government. “It tends to focus on environmental regulation, but there are probably 10 to 15 different topics.” The biggest issue, however – and one Ducker thinks may be a “sleeper issue to some people”—is language that appears to hold that local ordinances cannot be any… 2013-05-14T21:07:58+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/live_updates_from_the_may_14_meetings_of_the_buncombe_commissioners_and_ash It’s a busy evening in local government, with meetings of both the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Asheville City Council. Commissioners meet at 4:30 p.m. to consider a big economic incentive deal to an undisclosed company. Asheville City Council meets at 5 p.m. to discuss financing green energy improvements and establishing a multimodal transportation commission. See live updates from the meetings below via Twitter using the hashtag, #avlgov h2> Real Time #avlgov Coverage on Twitter 2013-05-14T20:06:59+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/photos_ashe_memorial_rededication A memorial in Pack Square Park honoring Samuel Ashe, for whom Asheville was named, was rededicated this morning by the Edward Buncombe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A North Carolina governor, Ashe became Asheville’s namesake in 1797. The ceremony featured the DAR color guard, complete with piccolo and snare accompaniment, and a speech by Mayor Terry Bellamy, who remarked that she was glad not to be mayor of “Morristown,” the name by which Asheville was previously known. 2013-05-14T19:36:46+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/051513back-to-the-future As Asheville geared up to file a lawsuit against state legislation that transfers the city's water system to the Metropolitan Sewage District, Buncombe County officials released documents showing a series of offers made to the city years ago. The rejected proposals offered to compensate the city in various ways for transferring the system to a new independent authority — and now some of those discarded ideas have resurfaced. On May 7, Gov. Pat McCrory opted to let House Bill 488 become law without his signature. The legislation mandates a transfer of the city's water system to MSD, effective May 15, and provides no remuneration at all. According to a summary released to Xpress, from July 2004 through Aug. 2006, Buncombe officials made 11 specific proposals during negotiations to avert the demise of the Regional Water Authority of Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson. Some would've resulted in MSD taking control of the water syste… 2013-05-14T18:00:59+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/051513spring-fling There are many inspirational forces at work behind The Asheville Ballet's production of An Appalachian Romance. The music of late composer Aaron Copland, a connection with local chamber music ensemble Pan Harmonia and the story of Romeo and Juliet are among those influences. But it was Ann Dunn's move to Asheville in 1980 that set this particular dream in motion. “It seemed like a natural to me,” she says. Dunn is the artistic director of the Asheville Ballet (she's also a writer and teaches courses in Renaissance literature). Copland's ballet and orchestral suite, Appalachian Spring, featured a minimalist set designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi. “The whole ballet looked, to me, like the prairie,” says Dunn, who wanted to recast it in actual Appalachia. So, An Appalachian Romance takes place between two feuding mountain families. “Like the Hatfields and the McCoys, but serious,” says Du… 2013-05-14T18:00:58+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/news/2013/051513the-citys-going-to-court A state-mandated transfer of the Asheville water system will be tested in court. At a special May 7 meeting, Asheville City Council members voted unanimously to sue the state of North Carolina over House Bill 488, legislation that gives control of the system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County. The stage is set: The bill passed both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly, and on May 9, Gov. Pat McCrory chose to neither veto or sign it, which means it becomes law. The governor cited “complicated intergovernmental issues” that the courts must resolve. Asheville has “very little time to address the issues [HB 488] raises,” City Attorney Bob Oast told Council members on May 7. Council’s resolution authorizes him to file the lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court, challenging HB 488’s validity and seeking to have it overturned. Oast cited “a number of legal, constitutional, and p… 2013-05-14T18:00:58+00:00 http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2013/051513cruel-summer “It has the feel of a town where you can write something,” author Gail Godwin says of Asheville. It’s the town where she grew up, and it often appears in her writing (she calls it Mountain City in fiction). And while it’s not named as such, there are hints of Asheville in Godwin’s new novel, Flora. “If I have to go back to the first seed of this story, it was the memory of a house that my mother and her new husband and I lived in during the summer of 1948,” says Godwin. They rented a floor of 1000 Sunset Drive; the house has since been torn down, but the author says she never got over that house. During that summer, there was a polio epidemic in Asheville, so Godwin, then 11, was not allowed to leave the mountain. She spent her time with two young boys who lived in the same dilapidated three-story house — for entertainment, they would phone the Grove Pharmacy and order a supply of candy and comic books, which w… 2013-05-14T18:00:57+00:00